l««IM6«i«(C«MM«MMfl««Mt{.MM»«|«« ««»*»e*d 



A Young Man's Problems 



'MHJintStOtJHHS?* 



*«*«*«« ®g- « & a a « c $ $ 9 $ $ » 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

Chap: Copyright No 

Shelf,, Ai. \ (c 
19 00 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



A YOUNG MAN'S 



PROBLEMS 



[tJopyHght l\wvj 

BY 

V 

LORENZO CARSON McLEOD. 



New YoRirr 

THE IRVING COMPANY, 

19Q(L 



51031 ^^o 

tiai ciaftl 



SEP 24 1900 
SECOND COPY. 

0< lw««d to 

ORDta WVTSION, 



bQ.w 



AJfoung Man's Problems. 



CHAPTEK I. 



THE KESTLESS YEARS. 



"Here I am my own ihari with the most of life 
before me. My past is gone forever. The present 
and the future pain me with deep concern. I want 
my name to have a place with those of others who 
have made life a success. An active brain, a fairly 
vigorous body, and good name constitute the most 
of my capital. The question what and how to do 
rests heavily on me. But it is not manly to com- 
plain of one's lot; so I will face things bravely, 
take them as they com**, i aj^d Ao the best I know 
and can." 

So Paul Essen soliloquized the day he was 
twenty-one, as he thought of his future career. 
To this time he had been looking with strong 
yearnings for years, and the hope of its freedom 
had cheered him in many a duty. 

Eeared in a family of the middle class who 
thought the parents' part well done when they had 
sent their children to school in winter, taken them 
to church with them on Sundays, and kept them at 
work the rest of the time, he was fretted at his con- 
dition and had determined to seek a field affording 
more freedom and opportunity. Until now, his 



6 A Young Man's Problems. 

own wishes and inclinations had been seldom con- 
sulted. Obedience and the faithful performance 
of his tasks had been required of him, though his 
heart was not fully in either. And now, his day, 
the one for which he had so of ten longed, was come. 
Yet his course was not fully marked out, but gave 
an indefinite outline, as an object seen at a dis- 
tance through a fog. The way not being clearly 
marked afforded ample room for the play of his 
fancy. He felt sure that his future must be spent 
elsewhere, though he could not name the place. 
While asking himself many questions to which he 
could give no answer, and feeling about for some 
outlet into wider fields, he attended services at the 
church where his parents were wont to worship. 
The preacher was a stranger, and his theme "Edu- 
cation." His subject lay near his heart, and be- 
fore the end was reached Paul had decided to have 
a better mental equipment for life's struggles and 
duties. His whole nature responded to the thought 
that man owes it to himself and to the race to 
render the best service in his power. 

A short time afterwards, our young friend was 
walking across the lawn of a college. Branches of 
stately trees met and intertwined above him; and 
as he looked at them, they seemed to be both invit- 
ing his presence and asking a blessing on his young 
manhood. Above the entrance he passed through 
were raised letters shaped to form a semi-circle 
saying "Character is eternal." As he read the 
words a deep emotion stirred him. They lingered 
in his mind for days. 

He was soon classified, and took a great deal of 



A Young Man's Problems. 7 

interest in his work. The other boys were 
strangers to each other as well as to him. But 
some of them formed acquaintances much more 
readily than others. Friday evening of his first 
week away from home, he was pleasantly ap- 
proached by a well-dressed, kindly-looking young 
fellow and invited to join the Beta Gamma secret 
society. He was told that all the boys of any in- 
fluence were members, and that it was the road to 
social prestige. A committee would wait on him 
after supper, and escort him to the place of meet- 
ing. He consented and went to his room in high 
spirits at the thought that here his worth would be 
appreciated. 

Having dressed up in his best suit, he sat down 
and indulged himself with thoughts of the time 
when men would speak his name in reverence. 
A short time after dark the committee came and 
escorted him to the place of initiation. On the 
way they spoke freely of their ambitions and plans. 
Paul was very much stirred by this contact with 
kindred spirits. They carried a lantern which 
suddenly went out when about a mile from town. 
Going a little farther, they told him to look 
straight overhead and count all the stars he could 
see at a glance, that the greater the number, the 
brighter his future would be. As he wanted to 
rise to a place of note, he took two looks. While 
he was doing this, one boy dropped on his hands 
and knees behind him, and another pushed him 
backwards over the first. 

He fancied himself falling from a ledge of 
rocks, and thought that he would be taken home 



8 A Young Man's Problems. 

a corpse. Many deeds of his past life rushed into 
his mind, and he repented that he had listened to 
a stranger's words of praise. At length, he felt 
himself go splash into some water which quickly 
filled his mouth and ears. As he had only fallen 
over a low bank into some shallow water, he was 
soon out and very anxious to have a settlement 
with the other members of the Beta Gamma 
society. He felt very much like fighting, but could 
find no one to engage him. A deathlike silence 
prevailed, save the churning noise of water in his 
shoes, and the patter of the drops falling from his 
clothes and hat. The light gleamed in his eye, 
his bqsom swelled and he wished to meet one 
or all of his brother Beta Gammians. Just 
then they would have fared roughly in his em- 
brace, but they had not stayed to see him home. 
After some delay, having got his bearings, he 
wended his way back. Before he was again in his 
place he would have paid well for silence on the 
subject of his initiation, and in his heart he had 
enough of Beta Gamma. Saturday was spent in 
drying and cleaning up his clothes, and Sunday 
in writing home, though he made no mention of his 
late experience in the society world. Monday, all 
his schoolmates were at the college in time to 
greet him with a smile and ask him how many 
stars one could see at a glance. Taking it all in 
good humor, he went to his work with a strong 
purpose and was devoted to his duties. The year 
soon slipped away, and in it he made a good rec- 
ord. Another session was half gone before any- 
thing again disturbed his peace of mind. The 
prank played by his comrades had taught him to 



A Young Man's Problems. 9 

be cautious. And he soon took a worthy place 
among them. All was going well and the outlook 
seemed full of promise until trouble came from an 
unexpected quarter. 



10 A Young Man's Problems. 



CHAPTER II. 



THE COLLEGE WIDOW. 



In the town was a young lady, a brunette of 
fine form, pleasant disposition, and very pretty. 
She had been asking a friend about the name and 
standing of that tall student with gray eyes, light 
hair and such a determined expression of face, 
and said that she would like to meet him. When 
Paul was told of this, it impressed him deeply. 
He tried to recall all the pretty faces he had seen in 
the town and wondered how this one looked. He 
was eager to see her and inquired where she lived. 
On his way to and from the post office he made it 
agreeable to go past her home. He longed for just 
one look into her face. As spring advanced, a 
morning walk became part of his programme; as 
he said, just for the exercise, but on his round he 
always went by a certain place. And if he only 
got one glance at her face, the picture would cling 
in his memory all day. If she smiled, he felt sure 
it meant good will towards him. What a whole- 
some effect it would have had on him to have met 
her then, learned that she was a human being, and 
found out her disposition. As it was, she was to 
him, for the most part, a creature of his fancy 
with just enough of the real to sustain whatever 
illusion he cherished in regard to her, He fancied 



A Young Man's Problems. 11 

that she loved him, that she was as true and stead- 
fast as the North Star, that she was as pure as the 
dewdrop pendant from a lily's petal, and that if 
he could only get acquainted with her this bloom- 
ing maiden with all her charms would be his. 

So he thought of her at times. At others she 
seemed so far away and of such an exalted nature 
that he hardly dared to claim her. These dreams 
of her helped him in his lessons; for any strong 
feeling quickens the flow of blood and makes the 
brain as well as the body more powerful. On ac- 
count of his love for her, he could the better con- 
centrate his thoughts on his studies, and grasp 
their meaning more quickly. A far-reaching en- 
ergy seemed to have made him its center of action. 
It put a manlier bearing into his carriage, a nobler 
expression in his countenance and brought his best 
traits to the front. At times he would give his 
confidence to his roommate. 

"Did you ever/' said he, "see such eyes and 
modest bearing? Do you know of another such a 
noble being as that dark-eyed girl of mine ? When 
she looks straight into my eyes a thrill of pleasure 
tingles in every nerve of my body, and then she so 
gently drops her lashes that I want to beg her 
pardon for my rudeness in looking at her so hard. 
Her brow is prettier than painter ever drew. Not 
the ripe cherry nor the full-blown rose can be 
compared with her lips. Michael Angelo would 
have surpassed himself had his been the good 
fortune to behold her form. She is a pure spirit 
with just enough of the earthly about her to awak- 
en and hold man's love. Once under the sway of 



12 A Young Man's Problems. 

her charm, she puts a new life and a new purpose 
into one." 

All these things he said and more. As his friend 
was enamored of another fair maiden, he accepted 
all these expressions as fitly describing his own 
sweetheart. So he could gladly listen to them by 
the hour. Thoughts expressed seem more real, 
and thus Paul's utterances deepened his attach- 
ment for the sunny-faced girl. Passion has more 
than one blossom. Along with the charmed life 
came the desire for a place where he could care for 
the object of his love. So, out of the mists, there 
rose clearly and distinctly before him the picture 
of a home. Now, he knew at least one reason why 
men are willing to endure toil, hardship and even 
danger. The hoped-for day came. As commence- 
ment was drawing near he had the good fortune, 
at a social, to be introduced to her who had been 
so much in his thoughts. Instead of meeting a 
warmth such as glowed in his own breast, he found 
her about as distant as any other of his new ac- 
quaintances. This fact cooled his feelings no lit- 
tie. It seemed strange that as near as she had 
been to him through several months, though ab- 
sent, now when in his presence, she should be so 
far away. But, by degrees, there was a blending 
of feelings and before the hour for parting his 
hope was somewhat revived. Under the subdued 
light of the Chinese lanterns, she appeared more 
charming than ever. The fragrance of the flowers 
along the walks awakened the feelings so that 
they were more easily impressed ; and the fact that 
her fingers touched his arm as they threaded their 



A Young Mans Problems. 13 

way through the throng, gave a substantial sense 
of her real presence, and made her conquest of his 
heart the more complete. 

Paul was not so talkative as usual. That vague 
state of mind which is usual with persons before 
thought, feelings or will has taken definite form 
had a strong hold upon him. So she did most of 
the talking, while he listened as attentively as the 
tumult of sensations within him would allow. 

"I have often wondered," said she, "why differ- 
ent persons impress us in such various degrees. 
Some faces pass from memory almost as soon as 
seen. We meet persons to-day whom we fail to 
recognize to-morrow. In other instances, some- 
one's glance meets our own and the features are 
stamped on the mind for life. The face comes 
and goes, and we know not why. Sometimes one 
such glance will change the course of a life, and 
turn it either towards weal or woe. No doubt, in 
the case of noted persons, the interest felt before 
meeting them awakens the mental powers so that 
deep impressions are made. But, at least once, 
and sometimes oftener, when there is not the ex- 
pectant state to account for it; when, in fact, we 
seem to be perfectly indifferent and prefer to re- 
main so, we feel the influence of another's life so 
strongly that in an instant our views of self are all 
changed." 

She so clearly described Paul's state of mind 
in regard to her that he could hardly keep from 
confessing his passion for her. In fact, if they 
had been in a more shadowy part of the grounds 
it is likely that he would have declared his love. 



14 A Young Man's Problems. 

But looking searchingly into her face, he could 
see no token of unrest or deep feeling, and so was 
restrained. Without knowing it, she had touched 
one of the most sensitive chords of his being; and 
the shock so weakened him that he said : "Let us 
sit down on one of these rustic benches and rest 
awhile." After they had sat down, she continued: 

"In the case of stringed instruments I have 
noticed that when a note is struck on one, those 
around it will give the same sound, as if from 
sympathy. Some -persons laugh just because they 
see others doing so ; and it seems as if many lives 
are so constituted that at the instant of contact, 
whether at the sound of the voice, the glance of 
the eye, or in some other way, one is fully respon- 
sive to the other." 

He replied : "Your illustration is very clear. 
But some are able to stir emotions without being 
touched in the least degree by what they have 
called out." The look he gave kept her from ask- 
ing him to explain his meaning. It would be pleas- 
ant to quote more of the conversation, but here 
with the light gently falling on their faces, and 
where they can study the features of the passing 
throng is a good place to leave them. They were 
unconscious that time was passing, until the move- 
ment of the crowd showed that it was time to go 
home. 

He asked his charming companion if he might 
attend her, to which she replied with a smile and 
"Yes, sir." 

Before they parted, she had given her consent 
for him to call and see her. As he went back to 



<A Young 'Mans Problems. 15 

his room, hope filled his mind with bright visions 
of the future. He looked up at 'the stars, and 
their glimmering beauty so touched him that he 
sighed. The breezes fanning his face soothed 
him. 

"Azile Kaynor, what a sweet name she has," he 
thought, "but not half so sweet as the one it 
names." The weeks passed away very swiftly for 
our young friend. He worked at his Latin, math- 
ematics and other studies with intenser applica- 
tion that he might have more time to listen to the 
wisdom of Azile. And he felt that the best used 
hours of all were those spent in her company. 
Though somewhat distant, she was courteous and 
kind to him. And when at vacation he told her 
"good bye" and asked if he might write to her, she 
let him hold her hand until she said that she 
thought it would be pleasant to correspond with 
him. Through the summer, the picture of Azile's 
beautiful face clung in his memory to sweeten and 
cheer his spirit. 

Time sped, and soon, September had come 
again. It would be interesting to give the corre- 
spondence of those few months, but it seems best 
to content ourselves with extracts from two of the 
letters. In one of his, Paul wrote : 

"To-day I saw a most charming landscape. I 
was resting on a large rock near the top of a high 
hill or mountain. Just at the rock's base were 
waving ferns. At the foot of the hill lay a beau- 
tiful village on a tract of land that gradually rose 
in another elevation to its summit, whereon stands 



16 A Young Mfflfe Problems^ 

a noble building. Beyond that for some miles 
stretches a fertile valley beautified by the inter- 
blended forests and fields, with here and there 
cosy homes. Near the farther side of this is a 
fine river sweeping around almost in the form of 
a semi-circle. At a greater distance are mountains 
rising, as it seemed to me, bench above bench back 
to the highest, which was many miles away. A 
thin blue mist enveloped the distant heights and 
added to their charm. Near me was a rose bush 
in full bloom, and its fragrance filled the air. A 
mocking bird, nearly over my head, was singing 
his happiest strain. The sky was the clearest 
blue; and the white summer clouds that floated 
over me were all the time changing their shapes. 
I watched the scene for hours. A deep peace filled 
my mind, and if I had only you at my side to 
point out the prettiest views and talk to me, it 
would have been all the heart could wish." 

In reply, Azile wrote : 

"That must have been a charming scene which 
you described in your last letter. I like to look 
upon such objects in nature. Their influence 
purifies and sweetens human thoughts and feel- 
ings. Then, too, the river flows on forever, and 
the eternal hills are always there. Nature is so 
constant that I would love her for that reason if 
no other. She is so different from mankind. 
Whether our hearts are joyous or sad, the land- 
scape, sky, and river always charm and soothe. 
Thank you for the sweet wild roses. I put them 



A Young Mans Problems. 17 

into a vase of water to keep them fresh ; and I 
think they will be pretty for several days. It is 
sad that such beauty should fade so soon. The 
flower is a good type of our earthly hopes. You 
men talk too much for me to know just how much 
of part of your letter to accept ; though, I suppose 
that any kind of company enables one the better 
to enjoy such views. I have found one of the 
prettiest landscapes near here, and, in autumn 
when you are back at school, I will show you the 
place. It will be even more charming then, for 
the trees are kinds whose leaves color so beauti- 
fully after frost." 

Summer had gone. Paul was making good 
progress in his studies. This was to be his last 
year at college. Azile was a charming talker, and 
he spent in her company all the time he could 
spare from his work. One evening shortly after, 
the first killing frost, he visited her. They were 
talking about the influence of frost in changing 
the appearance of the forests and fields. She re- 
marked : 

"Near here is one of the most inspiring views 
that you almost ever saw. I wrote you something 
about it in one of my letters. Would you like to 
view the scene?" 

He answered that he would surely be glad to do 
so; for, besides the pleasure of seeing, he could 
also form some notion of her taste for the beauti- 
ful. Going by a route of her choosing, they came 
at length to a spot from which the whole picture 
could be seen, They were looking down a wind- 



18 A Young Man's Problems. 

ing valley with wooded hill slopes on either side. 
A small stream wound along nearly through the 
center of the view. On its banks were deep pur- 
ple sumac thickets with here and there a golden- 
rod waving over the water. A little back of this 
were elms with their rich yellow leaves, while 
mingled with them were the well-rounded forms 
of the sweet gum trees bearing their leaves of 
many shades of red. Oaks of different varieties 
fringed the slopes up to the very top. Some of 
them were changing color, while others were still 
green. The sun was nearly setting; and the 
beams falling on the scene produced a vanishing 
effect, and made the water falling from a spring 
near the hilltop look like a string of diamonds. 
On the distant summit, trees and sky seemed to 
blend. Words cannot paint a picture like that, 
but they may serve to remind one that nature has 
many charms for eyes that can see them ; they may 
even set people to looking for such beauties. In 
restful silence, the two looked on the landscape un- 
til the stars began to come out. Almost overcome 
by what they saw, they felt rather than thought or 
spoke. Their emotions were too deep for speech. 
When they arose and started homewards, the chirp 
of the crickets along the way and the mellow tin- 
kling of distant bells were the only sounds to break 
the stillness. At length he spoke. 

"To-day, under the influence of Nature's power, 
our hearts have been deeply moved. We have felt 
the thrill of her touch. I wish we could always be 
in as deep sympathy as we have this hour." As 
he said this, they stopped. He looked straight 



A Young Man's Problems. 19 

into her face. There in the last glow of one of the 
fairest of days, she appeared more beautiful than 
ever before. The expression of her face almost 
overpowered him. Her eyes drooped as they met 
his earnest gaze. He said: 

"Won't you love me always, Azile ?" For awhile, 
the silence was painful. They could almost hear 
the throb of their hearts. At last, she raised her 
eyes to his and whispered: 

"I love you, Paul," and trembling, leaned on 
his shoulder. During the remainder of the schol- 
astic year, he was at her side as much as his other 
duties would allow. She sang for him many sweet 
songs. Together they read a number of the mas- 
terpieces of English literature. The fair day of 
which Paul in his youthful days had dreamed, 
seemed about to dawn. In June he left for a dis- 
tant part of the state to engage in business. Be- 
fore leaving, he told Azile that he hoped soon to 
have his affairs in shape so that he could come back 
for the one who was to him the dearest of women. 
His letters, full of tender regard, reached her 
regularly. Nearly a year had gone. His success 
had not been all that he had hoped. He would 
not claim her promise for another year. The 
waiting time is hard. Still, he kept up his spirits 
with the thought that a year would soon go. One 
day, when flowers, trees, air, and sky seemed to be 
working in harmony for the happiness of earth's 
inhabitants, our young friend received a letter ad- 
dressed in a well-known hand. Opening it he 
read: 



20 A Young Mans Problems. 

"Dear Paul: — It is somewhat over two years 
since we met at the social. I had noticed some 
time before that you were studious, and found out 
by inquiry that your habits were good and you 
would make me pleasant company, and in all you 
have had to do with me your conduct was above 
reproach. I think you are a dear, noble young 
man and wish that I had a younger sister to give 
you. Now be patient, hear what I have to say, 
and please don't think hard of me. Four years 
ago, I pledged my life and love to one who is to me 
the dearest of all men. I have waited for him, 
and he will come next month and claim me for 
his bride. I never meant to marry you. I only 
told you that I loved you and I do next to Frank. 
While he was absent, you made life happier for me 
than it would have been, and, in truth, you have 
enjoyed yourself better than you would have with- 
out me. Don't you think so? If you will, you 
may come to our wedding. I know that such a 
true, noble man as you are, can find a worthy and 
willing woman to help him in life's duties. I 
hope you already know of one who will. I haven't 
meant to wrong you, but I was lonely, and you 
were too. I cannot stay my tears as I think of 
you and know that this must be my last letter to 
you. Be brave and hopeful. Your friend always, 

"AziLE." 

As he read this it staggered him. A shudder 
swept through him. He felt that he could never 
accept another woman's promise, that Azile might 
have been frank with him and saved bim from 



A Young Mans Problems. 21 

such a shock of disappointment. A more mature 
woman than he was man, she might have made 
herself plain right from the first. She had, in 
fact, expressed the desire to meet him before he 
ever thought of her. Why did she not at least 
save him from the loss of confidence he felt in that 
hour? A friend never would trifle with a man as 
she had with him. Confidence is as sweet as 
honor ; and with either gone, life is almost a mis- 
fortune. In truth, selfishness was at the bottom 
of her conduct, and it was strange that a woman 
of her sense could delude herself into claiming 
that her behavior had been better for both. When 
a man shows by his conduct that a woman is his 
choice, he is honor bound, if she is willing to be 
true to her. When a woman accepts the constant 
attention of a man who she must see prefers her, 
by all that is noble and true she is in duty bound to 
save him from delusion. Call such conduct friend- 
ship! No, Azile, it is selfishness of the worst 
kind, for it destroys man's confidence in the good- 
ness of women, and when that is gone what is he ? 
Go ask the woman lost to all self-respect why she 
is in that condition, and she will tell you that she 
trusted in a man who had no confidence in the 
goodness of woman. A man who has that ennob- 
ling belief, can never betray a trustful woman. 

Such thoughts rushed through his mind as he 
brooded over his fate. The plan of his life was 
overthrown. To him the future was uncertain. 

Turning all his thoughts to business, he tried to 
forget a past whose remembrance so deeply pained 
him. He gave his interest to children, his sym- 



22 A Young Man's Problems. 

pathy to the suffering around him. The saying 
"Every cloud has its silver lining" gave him some 
comfort, and he tried to believe that in the long 
run all things would work out for his good. Tak- 
ing up some of the main problems that confront a 
young man, he sought to find their true solution. 
His closer attention to business brought increased 
success, and his deeper interest in those about him 
added to the number of friends. Before long, he 
could look at his past life squarely and consider 
it fully. He summed it up as follows : 

"I grew restless at home and wanted to leave. 
Why, I cannot tell, I have never had a better 
home, nor truer friends than while there. While 
in an unsettled state of mind, a sermon I heard 
led me to go to college. In that case I felt my 
need; and my action in that regard pleases me as 
well as anything else I ever did. The Beta Gam- 
ma boys taught me to be careful about strangers 
who flattered. I met Azile at a time in life when 
it was natural for me to fall in love. If I had not 
loved her, likely I would have some other pretty, 
well-bred girl. The truth is, I was charmed with 
one of my own illusions and she was the one witli 
whom I associated it. She was not the pure, 
noble woman of my fancy. It grieves me, though, 
not to have the high opinion of all women that I 
had before meeting her. I will never — never trifle 
with a woman's love as she did with mine. Think- 
ing of her welfare led me to see the real use of 
wealth. And I went into business in order to care 
for her well. As a rudderless ship is at the mercy 
of winds and waves, so have I been the victim of 



A Young Man's Problems. 23 

circumstances. It would have saved me many a 
heartache could I have seen this some time ago; 
but it is not too late to mend. Prom this day on, 
instead of allowing the winds to direct my course, 
I will use them to help me on in my chosen way. 
What are a man's judgment and will for if not to 
enable him to help himself ? My mental powers 
developed by education will serve me well. The 
experience with Azile will keep me out of such 
trouble in the future. Her impulsiveness, her 
taste, and her disposition would not have suited 
me. I love constancy and sincerity in woman. 
When I can find a woman whose disposition suits 
me, who pleases and is pleased with me, whom I 
can love for her own sake, and who can love me 
just as I am, I will ask her to bless my life. To 
have a home is one of the deep wants of my nature. 
To care for and protect it, I would endure any 
labor and hardship. But my judgment must 
choose and my heart approve of its mistress." So 
he buried the past and strengthened himself with 
hope. The person who knows himself and his 
limits, and who has true respect for himself has a 
good foundation to build upon. He did not de- 
stroy fancy, but gave part of her realm to judg- 
ment and another to reason. 



24 A Young Man's Problems. 



CHAPTER III. 

HAVING A PURPOSE. 

While in company with a man of marked 
success, Paul asked him how he thought a young 
man could realize the best results from the use of 
his time and labor. To this question the other re- 
plied : 

"Experience has shown me that it is almost 
useless to advise a person to do something in which 
he takes no interest. Under such circumstances 
the adviser may consider himself fortunate if he 
is even given a respectful hearing. In case one is 
doing wrong, a kind word may check and likely 
save from error. But it is hard to help a man 
rise, when he does not care to exert himself. How- 
ever, you impress me as one who aspires to better 
his condition, so I will tell you how I think is the 
best way to build up one's self. I will relate my 
own experience and then give you the points. I 
started on a career for myself, with a fairly good 
education and about average health and strength. 
Many of my associates surpassed me very much in 
both respects. It seemed to me that the mind by 
right planning could save considerable outlay of 
physical force, and I felt that I . must think in 
order to effect much. My first years were spent 



A Young Mans Problems. 25 

in working for another. Out of twelve months' 
wages I managed on the start to save fifty dollars. 
My comrades, who worked by my side day after 
day and received the same pay as I did, said that 
it was not worth the pains to try to get anything 
ahead on such a low income. So they spent theirs 
as they earned it. At the end of the year, my em- 
ployer named the amount due me, and offered to 
let me take that much stock in the firm. To that 
I gladly agreed. So much money seemed to me a 
large sum ; and I was proud to be its owner. The 
second year, as my wages were better, I was able 
to save a hundred. My fifty had earned me five. 
Again the offer of the preceding year was repeated 
and accepted with pleasure. To my surprise I was 
given another advance, so that at the end of that 
twelve months two hundred dollars were due me. 
My hundred and fifty-five had gained me twenty. 
When the time came to settle up my employer was 
much moved and told me that I was the only 
young man in his employment who was saving a 
cent. He also said: 'You do your best at what- 
ever I put you to do. You have been both upright 
and faithful to me. You deserve another ad- 
vance. And, if you desire, you may have stock to 
the amount due you. Or if you want to go at 
something for yourself I will indorse you/ His 
words touched me deeply. I thanked him and 
continued in his service two years longer. By that 
time I had over a thousand dollars ; and as my old 
employer continued his offer to back me, I could 
control any amount in reason. That was my ex- 
perience. And whatever success has crowned my 



26 A Young Man's Problems. 

efforts has resulted from following the same prin- 
ciples that then guided me. You give evidence 
of a well-developed and cultured mind. Was your 
advanced schooling given you or did you secure it 
by your own efforts ?" 

"That is an unusual question/' said Paul, "and 
I hardly see why you should ask it. My answer 
though, must be, that for the greater part, I paid 
my own way. My father gave me some means 
when I became of age. I worked and earned more. 
That and what I could make during vacation were 
used to bear my expenses. My father was one of 
our self-made men who, without much education, 
had risen by his own efforts. He did not approve 
of me spending so much time and money going to 
school. But I clung to my purpose, and, at least, 
won his respect ; for towards the last of my course 
he let me have means as I needed it. And since 
then he has helped me even when he did not ap- 
prove of my aim. Though he has never said so, 
yet his conduct shows that he has confidence in me 
and is proud of my efforts." 

"Now, Paul, when you started to college what 
end did you have in view?" 

"I was working for two results: to develop my 
powers and to fit myself for usefulness." 

"Did you have any schoolmates who appeared to 
work for other ends ?" 

"Yes, 1 a good many of them aimed first to enjoy 
themselves as they went along. And they had a 
good time, but did not learn much." 

"I think that now you are in a state of mind 
that will enable you to grasp most firmly what I 



A Young Man's Problems. 27 

am going to say. The secret is contained in both 
your experience and mine. Man gets in kind what 
he aims to secure. The degree of his attainments 
may turn on several factors. But he realizes along 
the line of effort. Have a point in view, and use 
all your powers to accomplish it. Set the whole 
current of your nature to working towards the 
mark. If you run against difficulties and obstacles 
go on. When you are brought to a standstill, make 
the best of it by finding a way to go forward. If 
baffled for a time, hold to your purpose and keep 
striving. Never give up. Bend all your energies 
for money, and wealth will come to you. With all 
your strength seek after knowledge, and, at length, 
it will be yours. But no man can have all things. 
He must choose one or, at most, a few ends and let 
all others go. The social leader is much away from 
home. The great scholar has not time to make a 
fortune. He who would be very wealthy cannot go 
to the depths of the mazes of learning. No 
man can be first both as saint and scholar. 
Is there something you want? Let other matters 
go, and seek it. Pay the price and it is yours. I 
wanted money for the sake of the independence it 
gives, and that I might use it for the welfare of 
others. In those five years I denied myself over a 
thousand dollars' worth of pleasure and other 
things. Some of my co-workers who received as 
much on the start as I, could not at the end of the 
time show one-tenth as much for their work. One 
of them is now working for me on a moderate in- 
come. He aims to have a good time and all of his 
earnings go to realize that encl You worked to 



28 A Young Man's Problems. 

develop your mental parts and gave up many 
things that would have thwarted your purpose. 
Your pleasure-loving associates chose the pleasure 
of the hour. Doubtless, they enjoyed what they 
sought. A low aim or a wrong one leads to failure, 
to disgrace. Indecision and inaction are time- 
wasters, weights that sink men into nothingness. 
Many accomplish little because they simply drift 
with the current of their feelings or of life about 
them. To-day, they are borne one way, to-mor- 
row, another. At last the years of life, the oppor- 
tunities it brings, have slipped away, and a blank 
is drawn instead of a prize. Man is by nature a 
hero worshipper. That this is true is shown by 
the devotion given to leaders in war and politics. 
Some elements of human nature awaken deep re- 
spect. Every crowd of schoolboys has its chief. 
Each village, town, or city has its ideal more or 
less embodied in one of its citizens, whose conduct 
is regarded as proper, whose judgments are ac- 
cepted as right. His smile or favor evokes a sense 
of worth in his devotees. Without attempting too 
close an analysis, it is enough to say that the ele- 
ment which wins such esteem is strength or skill. 
His admirers feel that his force increases theirs. 

"Now, the person who has an aim and works for 
its accomplishment sets currents in motion about 
him. Only the most resolute dare to oppose him. 
The throng, seeing in him the type of its best de- 
velopment, applauds and even helps him on. Go 
into a crowd and sit down, the example is con- 
tagious. Start out as if you have something to do, 
and people will get out of your way and may even 



A Young Man's Problems. 29 

try to help you along. He who chooses and acts 
shows elements of heroism. And calm, steady 
persistence quells resistance and engages assist- 
ance. 

"Now let us consider the part skill plays. It is 
a sad fact that only a few persons have good use of 
their parts. There is hardly one in ten thousand 
who speaks distinctly. Yet no musical instrument 
has such wonderful possibilities as the human 
voice. Most persons scrawl a letter instead of 
writing one. The tillers of the soil more often 
mutilate it than till it. We listen to preachers 
and speakers who have only half mastered their 
themes. We pay teachers who kill the ambition 
and curiosity of our children. The clerks who 
hand goods over the counter to us, do it awkward- 
ly. It is so rare to find a person who can do a 
thing well that when such is discovered, we stop 
and admire him. 

"Children are not trained in the homes as they 
should be. If every child was helped to obtain a 
thorough mastery of himself, to use all his parts 
well, in a century or two beauty of form and fea- 
ture would be the rule, and earth would be orna- 
mented. But when one realizes this truth, he is 
likely too old to profit by it. The road to skill, 
however, is everlasting, attentive practice. It is 
trying to do your best still better. In the use of 
the hands, direct all the attention to them and by 
repeated efforts the best possible results are se- 
cured. When doing anything, bend all the ener- 
gies to the task in hand. One must admire a skill- 



30 A Young Man's Problems. 

ful pianist. Attentive effort has made him such. 
A speaker who gives clear-cut words and sentences 
in tones of melody charms us. One feels ashamed 
when, in the presence of others, he does poorly, 
and is thrilled with pleasure at his best success. 
Standing before a piece of the the old Grecian 
sculpture, it is hard to repress the exclamation, 
Would that those lips had language, that spirit 
enlivened those eyes V Such is the heart's homage 
to skill. To do each task and duty of life the best 
one can, to strive to attain perfect use of muscle 
and brain, is the way to improve one's self, and se- 
cure the unfeigned admiration of others. 

"Sometimes days or even months pass and we 
can hardly see any results from our labors. That 
may be due to the fact that the work was of a 
cumulative kind and only shows in other results. 
But effort tells at last. Sometimes the hours have 
borne no benefits because they were put to no use. 
N"o deep purpose was working through them. 
They are gone and unused. 

"Choose your mark and go towards it. Soon 
you will find better and shorter ways of doing jour 
work. Careful effort leads to skill. And skill 
commands respect, even admiration. In the in- 
dustrial and business realms, it is always in de- 
mand. Do your best at whatever you undertake, 
and at last you can do them well. In line with 
my views, I would add, in all things, through all 
things, and above all things, strive to be just, faith- 
ful and true. For he who has lived an upright 
life, who has won the approval of Heaven, has 



A Young Man's Problems. 31 

realized the highest success. Fail in that respect, 
and wealth and fame can only gild. Succeed in 
that effort and the unchanging elements of undying 
manhood are yours for all the future." 



32 A Young Man's Problems. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE VALUE OF HEALTH. 

"It has seemed to me/ ? said Paul, continuing the 
conversation, "that another factor much under- 
valued is health. In several instances within my 
knowledge, young men of fine parts and noble 
impulses have broken down or died in the very 
blooming period of life. Or, it may be, a young 
woman who was the pride and joy of her parents 
and home, and a blessing to all in reach of her in- 
fluence has faded away almost, like a tender 
flower. Time is an essential element in every 
great achievement, and a person can do more of 
solid, enduring work in fifty years than he can in 
ten. The sway of character becomes farther reach- 
ing with mature age. It takes many generations 
to develop the intellectual life of a people to a 
high stage of advancement. The student of the 
history of the Teutonic nations finds evidence of 
their growth and development for over eighteen 
hundred years; and to-day, their future appears 
to be far-reaching and full of promise. Back of 
the mental freedom they now enjoy, are centuries 
of political and religious struggles. Only after a 
long period of growth and many storm-tossings 
does the oak reach its full size and strength. As 



A Young Man's Problems. 33 

there is the time of blooming youth, so one might 
expect at last a mature, well-developed manhood 
or womanhood. The early collapse of several 
young people of great promise has led me to ask 
why they fell so soon, why the flower faded in the 
bud and never bloomed. In some cases, there was 
inherent weakness to account for the fact. But 
nearly always close study led me to conclude that 
a needless sacrifice had been made. Sometimes a 
great effort of some nature had overdrawn on the 
supply of vital force. Or again, it was learned 
that there had been overpressure continued through 
a number of years. It is a fact easily proven by 
experience, that a tired person gains time by rest- 
ing. When one engages in too prolonged physical 
strain, aches and discomforts urge him to stop. 
But excessive use of the brain gives a general feel- 
ing of depression without locating the seat of the 
pain. The victim knows something is the matter 
with him but cannot tell what it is. His condition 
is most grievous. But failing to work with his 
usual despatch he labors longer hours, thus in- 
creasing his unrest. At last Nature orders a halt, 
and his days on earth are over. The bow, too long 
bent, was no longer elastic. The* mourners go 
about their ways saying: It is very sad'; and in 
their minds question if it is right that one so useful 
and of such promise should have such a short life. 
Or, it may be, a mother whose duty is to her 
children overtaxes her strength, with the result 
that they are deprived of one of life's sweetest and 
best gifts, a devoted woman's love and sympathy, 
just at the time they need it most. Do not the 



34 A Young Man's Problems. 

stunted growth of the misshapen tree, the failure 
of leaning grain to develop mature seeds, the 
dwarfed bodies of children forced too early to 
hard labor, all stand as reminders that law and 
force are always at work?" 

"You are right in that," said his friendly ad- 
viser. "It is wisely ordered that man should have 
a reserve supply of strength to be used only in 
case of great need. Without some such arrange- 
ment, the loss of a little blood, a slight spell of 
sickness, or any unusual exertion would end life. 
But man can overdraw on that, and his mistake is 
sure, if persisted in, to bring suffering on him. 
The persons whose unusual feats of courage, skill, 
wisdom, or virtue are recorded in history had great 
resources to draw from in the hour of need. In 
many a fray, in many a struggle, endurance was 
the decisive factor. Of course, that is in a good 
measure a matter of constitution; but habits and 
use also pressed on the heavier side of the balance. 
The possible depends on more than one thing ; and 
the issue, on the number of hours, or it may be 
years, one can work at his best, as well as on how 
much he can do in a given time. Even in contests 
of a purely muscular nature, there may be such 
an even outlay of strength and skill against each 
other that the staying power is the decisive factor. 
In other fields time has even greater importance. 
A fine painting demands the experience and work 
of years. The same is true of the masterpieces 
of literature. With proper care the mind retains 
its vigor and grows well up into old age. The 
proper adjustment of part to part, and the com- 



A Young Man's Problems. 35 

prehensive grasp of all the points of a subject re- 
quire growth of thought. A little forcing of the 
processes may be indulged in, but too much brings 
defeat. So, in those great social or religious efforts 
which have for their aims the uplifting of man- 
kind, he who would effect much must husband his 
energies so as to be able not only to work with 
intense concentration but through a long period. 

"One reason why such persons as those of whom 
you spoke break down is that they have strength 
of purpose without breadth of view. Looking at 
the subject in its widest range, one can but see 
that it is the continuous well-directed effort that 
achieves. Or to make the point plainer, passion 
rather than judgment, reason, and will, governs 
them. Passion soon spends itself; while judgment 
and reason seek the best ways and means and then 
direct the will in wise, steady endeavor. For in- 
stance, a student might kill himself in four years 
by overwork. By very intense work he might ac- 
complish the same end in six months or in an even 
less time. His knowledge goes with him; his in- 
fluence remains.. By pursuing a different course 
he might have lived and learned for a long period. 
Would he not in the latter case make a deeper 
impression on those around him ? He is wise who 
recognizes that he is subject to limits. Because 
exercise is good for man, it does not follow that 
violent training is. Because nothing of great 
worth is accomplished without zeal, it is not to be 
concluded that the results will always be in pro- 
portion to the intensity of the enthusiasm. Man 
has capacity for work. In kind and amount differ- 



36 A Young Man's Problems. 

ent individuals vary; nor is the same person con- 
stant in this respect. Lead an indoor life for 
some time, and then go at some kind of hard 
muscular work. Fatigue soon comes on. By care- 
ful training the capacity may be increased from 
day to day until the highest point of which one is 
capable is reached. Go beyond this and aches, 
physical weakness, and loss of spirits arise. In 
passing from muscular to mental toil, the ordinary 
person, owing to the lack of power at first to con- 
centrate his thoughts, does not suffer so much 
from his work as from the change of habits. Use 
of parts sets an increased flow of blood to them. 
Even after their disuse, for awhile the supply con- 
tinues. But the student who can hold his mind 
to a subject may suffer from over-study. Over 
and above the strength required by the working 
capacity, nature has provided a reserve as if to 
make secure against accidents. So when one has 
made a moderate over-drawal on his store of 
energy, by resting he may regain his normal state. 
But continual disregard of such protests as pains 
and dullness is fraught with peril. The thing for 
each to do is to train his powers up to their proper 
limit and be very careful about passing it. Health 
and happiness are man's natural rights. He may 
barter them for ease, or fame, or gold, or sacrifice 
them to ignorance or folly. 

"If one works or studies so intensely that three 
hours' employment a day consumes his powers to 
the point of wasting, he should relax his effort at 
the end of that time. Of course, if a person with- 
out treating himself harshly can endure toil for 



A Young Man's Problems. 37 

sixteen hours out of the twenty-four, he may ac- 
complish more. But it is very doubtful if, in the 
long run, one gains anything by a prolonged strain 
in the performance of daily duties. He who lives 
for a noble purpose should reckon well with his 
health, one of the most useful forms of strength 
and without which the highest attainments can- 
not be realized. A break-down at that point is 
most effective in baffling one's plans. The person 
who is always in his place striving with sound and 
vigorous parts can accomplish great things, can do 
almost anything in the power of man he may 
choose. How different must be the outcome, if 
weakness keeps him from his post. In life's wide 
realm there is work for each, and none can do 
another's part. In the end it is the staying powers 
that tell. The person who can say 'yes' or 'no/ 
as the occasion demands, and stick to it, who can 
say 'I will' and with wise, persistent efforts moves 
and moulds the objects and forces about him in 
line with his purpose wins life's laurels. Progress 
is slow in the moral and intellectual domains. In 
the development of mental parts, and in the build- 
ing of a strong character, time and great effort 
are required. We admire the good man, the pure 
woman, because they have been strong to resist evil, 
and constant in the love of right. Standing as 
you do on the threshold of life, remember that the 
holiest purposes as well as the farthest-reaching 
ambition may be thwarted by weakness. Strength 
and endurance rest on soundness and a wise use of 
one's self. Honor to those noble souls who, in 
jpite of weakness and misfortune, have struggled 



38 A Young Man's Problems. 

faithfully through pain, hardship, and disappoint- 
ment and given the world an example of how to 
suffer if one must. But those who have health and 
hope owe it to themselves, and to their fellow-men 
to treasure the blessings they enjoy, that they may 
the better fill their places and do their part in 
life." 



A Young Mans Problems. 39 



CHAPTER V. V 

THROUGH DOUBT TO FAITH. 

One day Paul's pastor came to him and made 
the following statement: "My wife is sick, and 
my children are in need of the necessaries of life. 
Money is due me, but at present I am unable to 
collect it. I hardly know what to do." Shocked at 
the thought of such distress, with the deep im- 
pulses of a young man of true emotions, he asked 
how much was needed to afford relief. 

"Oh," said the other, "I could not think of ask- 
ing a young man struggling to improve his 
financial status as you are, to give me anything. If 
you would loan me a small amount, say a hundred 
dollars, for a few weeks until I can collect some 
accounts due me, it would be all I could have the 
heart to ask of you. And I assure you the favor 
would be very much appreciated." 

Upon hearing that, Paul at once filled out a 
check for the amount named and handed it to him. 
He said that he was glad to be able to help a friend 
tide over his misfortunes and hoped that his wife 
would soon be well. The check was accepted with 
warm expressions of gratitude and the assurance 
given that the favor would soon be returned. 

Our young friend went on to his work in a hap- 
py state of mind. It was a pleasure to be able to 
render another comfort, and he thought that tk§ 



40 A Young Man's Problems. 

poor woman would soon be much better eared for. 
In fancy he pictured himself, when he would be 
delighted to give all the unfortunate near him 
such help as they needed. It would be a genuine 
pleasure to help worthy people when in distress. 
In looking through the locals of his home paper a 
few days afterwards he came across the following : 

"Reverend Peter Phamen and family left this 
morning for a few weeks' visit to the coast. We 
wish them a pleasant trip, and trust that they 
may soon be back again in our midst." 

Some time after their return, Paul had a busi- 
ness obligation to meet. After using all he had 
saved up, he still had need of more. Thinking 
that surely Mr. Phamen could repay the sum 
loaned to him, he went to get it. The wife met 
him at the door, invited him to come in and have 
a seat, and said that she would call her husband. 
As he looked out through the pretty lace curtains 
while waiting, he could not help thinking that the 
lot of a single man is hard ; that it takes the touch 
of a woman's hand to make a house a home. The 
memory of his experience with Azile came ovei 
him and made him sick at heart. Busied with his 
thoughts, he paid no attention to the lapse of time. 
At last Reverend Phamen came in, gave him a 
cordial greeting, and apologized for his delay by 
saying that he had been doing some much-needed 
work. He described his trip with glowing words, 
said that it had made him feel like a new man, and 
had brought back the color to his wife's cheeks. 
Again Paul was glad to have done so much good, 
$nd hoped that the time would soon gome wheu he 



A Young Man's Problems. 41 

could not only lend, but give to deserving persons. 
After a pleasant talk he stated his business. 

"Yes, brother Paul/' said the other, "I have 
neglected to see after that. If I had thought of 
you needing the amount I would have had it foi 
you. I shall get it by to-morrow." As that would 
be all right, he went on to his place of business; 
going by his creditor's, he told him that if it would 
be satisfactory, he would settle the debt next day. 
Of course it would be, so he dismissed the subject 
from his mind until the following evening when he 
again went by Mr. Phamen's. That gentleman 
was not at home, but his wife said that he would 
be later in the day, and if Paul did not have time 
to stay to come again. So in the morning he 
called, but the one he wished to see could not be 
found. And for several succeeding days his ef- 
forts to that end were futile. It became plain that 
the man avoided him. On the third day, the young 
man borrowed on his note the sum needed; then 
he made his settlement and gave as a reason foi 
his delay the facts just stated. 

For quite a while Eeverend Phamen vanished 
from sight whenever he saw Paul. But one day 
while turning a corner of the street, they unex- 
pectedly met. Only a few words were passed be- 
fore the other said he must hurry on to answer 
the urgent call of a sick friend. They went differ- 
ent ways, but a little later he was seen to enter the 
yard at his own home. From that time on, their 
paths appeared to run parallel, until the report 
was spread that Eeverend Phamen expected to 
leave soon for a new field of labor; and that al- 



42 A Young Man's Problems. 

ready he was having his household goods hauled 
to the train. Having assured himself that such 
was the case, Paul hunted up his debtor and asked 
for an explanation of his conduct. The answei 
was: 

"The money is spent; but I have nothing with 
which to replace it. I am sorry that this is true, 
but cannot help it now." Our young friend turned 
sadly away. He grieved not so much on account 
of the loss of his money as at the want of con- 
fidence in others that he painfully felt. Long be- 
fore that he knew that not all business men could 
be trusted in such matters, but this experience had 
come as a sad revelation. 

"If such men are not trustworthy, who is ?" was 
a question that burdened him. Added to this 
came the influence of the discussion about the 
Higher Criticism which was then going the round 
of the press. Since childhood he had believed that 
his Bible was free from errors; that every word 
of the original was divinely inspired ; that the text 
had been kept pure through all the ages, and that 
every letter in it was just as it should be. He 
came across the following statement of one of the 
most noted preachers of the day: "I believe in 
neither an infallible book, nor an infallible church, 
only in an infallible God." 

At first he denied, even resented the expression. 
But it stirred him and raised a question in his 
mind that must be settled. His study of the: 
sciences had developed a habit of inquiring after 
facts. He would go to the bottom of the question 
and know for himself, because the truth was dearer 



A Young Mans Problems. 43 

to him than any opinion or creed. In the course 
of his inquiry he came across an article, written 
by another eminent clergyman, citing passages to 
prove that the Scriptures have errors of different 
kinds in them. Doubt took a strong hold on his 
mind. He carried the paper to a local pastor, 
showed him the article, and asked for light on the 
question. The response was a stare, a sneer, and 
"Have you turned infidel ?" And he was informed 
that a man in his right mind would not entertain 
such questions, as they had their source in the in- 
fernal regions. His respect for the man kept him 
from replying what he thought, which was: 

"It seems that you prefer to cling to your creed, 
whether right or wrong, that one must by force of 
will compel the assent of his mind to what, in fact, 
he 'doubts. Let me know the truth, though it 
blasts every hope I have ever cherished." All his 
spare time was spent in investigating the subject. 
His belief had been moulded by men who did not 
know one Greek letter from another. Against the 
assertions of these were those of others who had 
spent a good part of their lives studying and teach- 
ing that language. These said that errors had 
been made in translations, and that at some points 
original documents varied. Statements of that na- 
ture from such sources could not be lightly passed 
over by one who would rather be than seem. In 
order to reach convictions of his own, he again took 
up the study of Greek and went as far towards the 
sources as he could. He learned that while agree- 
ing for the most part, in some respects, the primi- 
tive documents differed ; that a verse put in at one 



44 A Young Man's Problems. 

point had been the cause of much controversy. That 
the presence or absence of even so small a word as 
an article could change a general to a special propo- 
sition, or the other way. In places whole para- 
graphs have been inserted or omitted, though which 
it is, no living man can tell. Here were facts to 
which his search for truth had brought him. He 
knew that he had accepted some statements that 
were not true, that the best evidence to be had 
would not sustain them. If the Septuagint differs 
from the records as preserved in Hebrew; if the 
Greek codex at St. Petersburg is not in all respects 
the same as that at Eome, and these in turn do not 
fully agree with those found elsewhere, nor with 
the Syriac version of about the same age, where 
shall man place his faith ? When some of the lead- 
ing scholars of the day translate with a special 
word, that which their equals render with a general 
term, who can know which is right? Were good 
men in the first century of our era biased in their 
statements and partisans rather than truth-seekers, 
like most good people of to-day? All these ques- 
tions, and more, rose in his mind as he delved into 
the subject. If he had been a person of weak will, 
he would have wished that he had never begun to 
inquire. Though a gloom came over his mind and 
unrest filled his heart, he did not regret his course. 
He knew not what to believe, nor where to place 
his faith. Doubt filled his life with pain. It is a 
trying time when man comes to such an hour. Yet 
to strong characters, it is as the darkness just be- 
fore the dawn. For the pangs of the doubting 
mind are the birth throes of personal conviction 



A Young Man's Problems. 45 

and belief. Through this period each must go 
alone. How can one help another at such a time ? 
Will ridicule avail? No, and it will add to the 
anguish. Can reason lift the burden? No, for 
she has not the data. Sympathy might be helpful, 
but one in such a mental state questions all things. 
Human help fails unless to say "Be true ; do right ; 
and at last you will find peace." 

Time passed very slowly with Paul as he strug- 
gled towards the light. He felt as if he was alone 
in the vast universe, with only force and disorder 
about him. But looking deeper into the whirl 
which rose up on every side, he came to see that 
there were lines of motion ; and thus he recognized 
the existence of law. At this a gleam flashed 
through the bewildering darkness, and he saw in- 
telligence enthroned above all. And he knew that 
this eternal mind is good. The dawn was deepen- 
ing into day. He saw that justice and right are 
in many instances two names for the same thing, 
and that the word power may also mean love. Again 
his heart began to trust and love. He took up 
once more the Bible his mother had given him. It 
seemed like a different book. With wide sweep of 
mind he saw there too, as he had read in the book 
of Nature, law and power supporting love and per- 
meated by her presence. Statements which in 
other days he had accepted as true because he had 
been taught so, now bore witness for themselves. 
The questions raised by the critics had ceased to 
trouble him, for he found so many things he knew 
to be true. His faith no longer trembled with a 
changing view of the Book as a whole. Truth is 



46 A Young Man's Problems. 

its own best witness. Here and there he found 
passages so convincing that he would have clung 
to and treasured them had he been sure that all the 
rest of the Book was false. As the leaf, pale and 
dry, falling from a mighty oak on a summer's day 
is no proof that the tree is not alive, so the blun- 
ders of human hands and minds that have marred 
the great Book cannot overthrow its living force. 
Very many of its statements appeal to the mind as 
light does to the eye, as living touch witnesses for 
itself. In the growing plants of field and forest, 
in the floating clouds and twinkling stars are 
beauty and order. And the end of beauty and 
order is to benefit. But they are not first causes. 
Back of them is the energizing, controlling spirit 
that works by and through them. To that spirit 
the best that is in man is responsive. In nature 
all around him are evidences of wisdom and good- 
ness that he who wills to may clearly see. As he 
knew that the sun shines, that the birds sing, that 
the flowers are fragrant, so the truths he saw and 
read addressed themselves to his mind. He took 
the Nazarene for teacher because he knew Him to 
be worthy. In Him he saw the form of the true, 
the brave, the pure, and lovable for all ages. Try- 
ing to be just and live right he had come into con- 
scious touch with the truth ; aye, with the Infinite 
One, for when one does the best he knows and seeks 
for truth he is sure to find the quest of his soul. 
He came to see that not place nor profession, but 
right principles make men ; that in the lowliest as 
well as the highest walks of life there may be true 
manhood and pure womanhood. And, too, he 



A Young Man's Problems. 47 

knew that not the profession but the conduct of life 
is the correct index of a man's belief. 

Months had passed away. One fine autumn day, 
Paul had an overland trip to make in order to at- 
tend to some business. Early in the morning he 
mounted his horse and started across the country. 
The air was fresh and bracing, and the sky a clear, 
deep blue. An enlivening breeze was blowing from 
the northwest. The odor of the ripening fruits 
in the orchards reached far away. Birds and in- 
sects were singing good bye to the summer. All 
colors blended in the beauty of the forest leaves. 
Nature made an almost overpowering impression 
on his mind. The memory of other days rose up. 
These thoughts came rushing into his mind and, 
for the time, made him forget all else. 

"A man to whom I gave my confidence without 
asking if he was worthy betrayed the trust I put in 
him. His actions so shocked me that for some 
time I would trust no one. But I knew all the 
while that he was extravagant, vain and self-in- 
dulgent, and I should never have humored him. 
He ought to have been checked in his course then 
and there. He had been contracting debts and 
moving away from them for years. The second 
time he did that wrong, he should have been so 
thoroughly exposed that he would never have dared 
to try the like action again. It is not kind to in- 
dulge such weaklings. For a time it seemed to me 
that all preachers were just like him. I ought to 
have known better. Most of them are true men 
and worthy of reliance. One should use common 
sense in all such cases and judge by character and 



48 A Young Mans Problems. 

not by the place one holds. Instead of saying that 
as one of a kind is so are all of his fellows, it is well 
to remember that in every department of work the 
good and bad work side by side. It does not fol- 
low that because one preacher is false to his trust, 
all are, any more than it does that because one 
doctor does not understand his business all others 
are ignorant. Such rash conclusions would break 
all ties existing between men. My season of doubt 
was one of the most painful periods of my life. To 
feel that one's confidence has been trifled with, that 
no knowledge is sure, and that darkness and chaos 
reign in the mental and spiritual realms, is a bur- 
den almost too great to bear. But now that it is 
passed, I would not have it otherwise. After the 
storm comes quiet, after doubt comes peace. My 
make-up demands a sure basis of belief. All my 
nature revolts at the thought of a feigned faith. In 
other days, I had a religious belief such as one has 
in history. I accepted things because they were 
told me, or I had read them. Now my belief is as 
much a fact to me as are the axioms of mathe- 
matics. In that realm many truths are as clear 
to my mind as the fact that the sun shines. Take 
the ideal from the mind of man and he goes where 
environment urges, but as a living force it uses 
circumstances as helps to unfold and lift up itself. 
The religious nature is as much a part of a human 
being as are the hands. It is an essential factor in 
his best development; for the feeling of pleasure 
and desire to realize the best which one has when 
thinking of the true and good are two of the might- 
iest forces for weal that work on human character, 



A Young Mans Problems. 49 

As the mutual attractions between them hold sun 
and worlds to their places, so love and truth should 
guide and strengthen man in the right." 

By this time Paul was at his journey's end. He 
attended to his affairs and started homewards. The 
beauty and quiet of landscape and sky quickened 
the nobler impulses of his mind, while his heart 
throbbed with a purpose such as makes man an 
honor to his race. 



50 A Young Man's Problems. 



CHAPTEE VI. 

CONDUCT TOWARDS WOMAN". 

One evening at home, Paul and his roommate, 
Tom Manson, were discussing the question of 
proper conduct when in the company of women. 
Tom, a dark-haired, dark-complexioned young fel- 
low, with full lips and laughing eyes, spoke his 
views first : "I like a woman who has some feel- 
ings and is not all the time restraining herself 
and those about her. These over-good beings who 
are unwilling to let a man touch them, who shake 
hands with the tips of their fingers, and stand off 
from one with an air that seems to say, 'Keep at 
your distance, sir. There is a chasm between you 
and me/ are too cold-blooded to suit my notion. 
Miss Mary Fielding, who visited this place last 
summer, is a type of womanhood that I do not ad- 
mire. At a distance, her golden-tinted hair, fair 
face, and cherry red lips charmed you. But com- 
ing closer to her, there was a coldness in her glance 
that fairly chilled one to meet it. It was beauty 
with the charm of the diamond instead of that of 
a warm, living creature. Give me the girl who is 
fond of a parlor dance and does not faint at the 
thought of a caress. What are women for, if not 
to be loved ? And one without feeling, who is un- 
responsive, reminds me of an iceberg. Miss Field- 



A Young Man's Problems. 51 

ing would not let you get in three feet of her to 
say 'goodbye/ though there was no eye to see, only 
the beams of the silent stars to witness the part- 
ing. And as to dancing, she would not hear of 
such a thing as a round dance. She wanted you 
away off so that she could keep you at your dis- 
tance with those cold, blue eyes. Who could love 
such a woman? A cold sweetheart makes an in- 
different wife. I would as lief court the goddess 
of flowers and be done with it as to love such a 
woman. I like the shock and the thrill a pair of 
sweet lips can give. Let me look into eyes that 
seem to say, 'Love me, love me/ " To this Paul 
replied : 

"It appears to me that you like to play too close 
to the danger line. It does not follow that a woman 
is cold-hearted because she does not allow the 
caresses of the young men who wait on her. You 
like to flirt, and the more girls you have interested 
in you the better you are pleased. I think more of 
one who keeps in her place and holds me to mine. 
In talking to me of you once, Miss Eielding gave 
your disposition so perfectly that I will tell you 
some of the things she said: 'Mr. Manson is very 
impulsive. He knows that he is handsome and de- 
lights to have all the young women admiring him. 
He thinks I am too cold. But it would be better 
for him if he only associated with self-restrained 
young ladies. He does not know where to check 
himself, and needs the restraint of a steady eye. 
Once roused, passion may become an awful master. 
He is wise who refuses to trifle with it.' You see 
she read your nature all too well, and suited her 



52 A Young Man's Problems. 

conduct to you. A young man cannot afford to go 
with girls who are over-fond of a caress. Your 
sweet one who loves all usually ends her social 
career by marrying for money or position, and 
cares about as much for her husband as she does 
for a dozen others. The truth is, the affections as 
well as the thoughts can be scattered until they 
have very little intensity and fixedness. As an off- 
set to your views, I shall give you an account of 
an experience I once had with one of your kind of 
girls. While I was at Mason on some business last 
spring, my home was with an old friend. He and 
his wife held me in high esteem and gave me wel- 
come to the best they had. At the time, one of his 
nieces, a young woman about grown, was visiting 
them. And it fell to her lot to entertain me in the 
evening after supper. She was a maiden with soft, 
brown eyes, a clear complexion between the coIot 
of the white and red rose, a very sweet voice, and 
gentle, winning manners. She sang a number of 
touching songs and was warm-hearted and trust- 
ful. I had some legal matters to attend to and 
was detained there for over a month. So we be- 
came quite well acquainted. On the evening under 
consideration she had sung at her best a number of 
her sweetest love songs, and then first one and 
then the other had been telling some touching ro- 
mance. Only a short time before I had read 'Lu- 
cile' for the fifth time and wound up by relating 
to her that story. I had an extra good grasp of the 
plot that night and the narration deeply stirred 
her feelings. For the time 'LucileY distress of 
hope or passion seemed to be her own, The color 



A Young Man's Problems. 53 

would come to her cheeks or fade away as the 
heroine was about to gain or lose her lover for- 
ever. She was looking me straight in the eye and 
it touched me to note the changing expression in 
hers. When I ceased talking her gaze seemed to be 
riveted on me. Directly her lashes drooped and 
she threw herself into my arms. For an instant I 
clasped her to me, but the next moment my old 
motto to treat all women as I would have my own 
sister treated came rushing into my mind. I was 
irresolute for a short time; then I gently lifted 
and placed her in an armchair, and changed the 
subject. Suppose I had accustomed myself to 
think and act as you say you do, Tom." 

"It was best for her and for me, too, that it was 
you." 

"Yes," said Paul, "I also am glad that it was not 
you, and that in hours of sober thought I had re* 
solved never to wrong a trusting woman. The 
next evening, when alone with her, she said to 
me: 'Mr. Essen, you are one of the noblest anc} 
best men living. Last night I allowed my feelings 
to overpower me. I now realize fully that it is 
wise to keep a strong restraint over one's self. I 
shall always be thankful that the hour of my weak- 
ness found me in the power of a pure-minded man. 
My gratitude will go out to you as long as I live/ 
and, Tom, I am sure that the lesson she learned 
then will be a blessing to her through all the years 
of her young womanhood. When I remember how 
grateful she was it is a source of both pleasure and 
strength to me." 

Tom replied : "I have b&en accustomed to think 



54 A Young Mans Problems. 

that a man has a right to every privilege he can 
take with a woman ; that it is his part to make the 
advances and hers to check him where she wants 
him to stop. I have enjoyed caressing one way and 
another many of those who accepted my atten- 
tions. But your illustration puts the case in a 
new light to me. The fact that you were her uncle's 
friend and guest led her to trust you very much 
as she would have confided in him. That fact put 
you on your honor not to abuse her reliance on 
you. I see now that there are various reasons for 
which a young woman may lay aside her reserve 
and which virtually place her companion on his 
manhood to defend her character." 

"More than that, Tom ; she who favors you with 
her company, in that very act grants you what she 
would deny a stranger. Why ? Because she thinks 
you are worthy of her confidence. You would not 
introduce a riian of unscrupulous principles to one 
of your kinswomen. Nor do I think you would 
to any other lady. So, in truth, a man is honor 
bound to cherish the self-respect and good name of 
the one who accepts his company. And Heaven 
gives a man no sweeter pleasure on earth than the 
society of a woman whom he believes to be as pure 
as the all-enveloping ether, and as true to the right 
as the earth is to her course about the sun. Belief 
in goodness both blesses and ennobles." 

"I agree with you in that, Paul. And I give 
you my word that from this hour the good name 
of the young woman whose company I keep shall 
be as sacred to me as that of my sisters." 

"And you will find," said his friendly adviser, 



A Young Man's Problems. 55 



a 



that you will not only foster your own self-respect 
by such a course, but also realize the deepest peace 
of mind possible for you. When one is and does 
what he knows is right, he is at one with himself. 
The spirit of such a person is in harmony with his 
Creator. Money cannot measure the worth of the 
satisfaction that comes to him who has done no 
one a willful wrong." 



56 A Young Man's Problems. 



CHAPTEE VII. 



DOINTG AS OTHERS DO. 



"You have won your point on the question of 
honor with woman, but I am not so sure you are 
right in regard to the way you make friends. You 
could have many more if you were not so strait- 
laced on some minor points. I happened along 
the other day, just as some men were talking about 
you, and decided to stop and hear them through 
with it. All agreed that you are fair-minded and 
well-disposed towards others. But it was urged 
against you that you are too particular about lit- 
tle things. Two of the crowd urged in support of 
that view the fact that you had declined to go with 
them into a place where strong drink is sold. So 
many men use liquor now that if you want to be 
popular you will have to get over that." 

"There is something in your claim, but not 
much. If a man treats others with respect and 
kindness wherever he meets them, he will gain their 
good will even though in some respects he opposes 
them. If you had asked those same men, if they 
respected me any less for my course they would 
have said 'no/ In fact, the person who indulges 
in that habit looks on it as such, and, in his heart, 
honors the man who denies himself. The trouble 
has been that so many abstainers have been in- 
valids of one kind or another, and so were not as 



A Young Maris Prohtems. 5¥ 

pleasant as they might have been. Indeed, many 
of them have been sour and sarcastic, and just as 
bad in their extreme way as the drinking man in 
his; and perhaps they were even worse. The one 
tried to be friendly, the other did not even want 
to be. That has been the case so much that to- 
day, in the minds of many persons, a temperate 
person is supposed to be a morose one. You can 
make friends of a kind by doing as others want 
you. But that is not a solid base. To make the 
right kind of ties, you must always look at a per- 
son's principles and appeal to the noblest and 
best. How many who have drunk because it was 
the fashion, and sworn in accord with custom, are 
not only penniless but also friendless." 

"Yes, but men notice that you do not join them, 
are not with them, and in the very nature of the 
case consider you proud and distant." 

"It is true that I will not go with them to some 
places nor do in all things as they do. They watch 
me in order to find something to sustain the dis- 
favor which such a course may bring on one. But 
when I keep on in my course and show them all 
the kindness in my power, they cease to be hostile 
and give me both their good will and confidence. 
As to close friends, no one can have many. And, 
to be satisfactory, each must be the other's mutual 
choice. Eespect comes to the person who respects 
himself ; and in the hour of need men go to such 
for help too." 

"You defend your position well. But, Paul, 
the person who wants to bind others to him must 
mingle with them. If you only desire the favor of 



58 A Young Man's Problems. 

those of real worth, you are right in your position. 
But such a choice narrows one's circle too much. 
Tou appear to walk among your fellow-creatures 
and, now and then when you can find one to your 
notion, grapple him to you with strong ties. The 
others you let go. In regard to the company of 
women, you make a similar choice. There are 
the Caynor sisters, of good family, well-to-do, and 
having admirers far and near. You hardly ever 
have anything to do with any of their circle, though 
they move in the best and would gladly welcome 
you. They are lively and affectionate, and it does 
not make them shiver for you to touch them. Their 
family influence would be worth a good deal to 
anyone. It is true, that they are just a little fast 
but they will outgrow that. When you go in com- 
pany it is with such girls as the Mallons who are 
never known to vary from the strictest conduct. 
They are good and true, but too particular. Their 
influence does not reach far enough. Their man- 
ners, looks, and bearing all say 'keep from me/ " 

"That is why they suit me, Tom. I want to be- 
lieve in the purity and nobleness of womanhood; 
and when I am in their presence, I do. What you 
think to be chilling indifference is only strong self- 
poise. Some women prefer to influence men as a 
ripe, fragrant apple does — through the senses by 
direct appeal. Others choose to move you as a 
great work in nature stirs one. Not flashy but 
constant, they must be known to be appreciated. 
For this reason, it would be better for young men 
to go in the company of their own mothers and 
sisters more than they do. Innate worth is the 



A Young Mans Problems. 59 

basis of enduring ties of friendship. I have never 
approved of Caesar divorcing his wife, but have 
often admired his statement : 'Caesar's wife must 
be above suspicion/ So I say about the woman 
whose company I keep. If following that course 
leads me wrong in the end, I will keep quiet and 
make the best of my fortune. You remember that 
pretty Alrich girl and Guy Inwin. She was a 
charming young woman, and he, in many respects 
a fine fellow. Both belonged to good families and 
won admiration wherever they went. He used to 
sit here and relate by the hour his experience with 
her. It was taken as a matter of course that he 
would embrace her every time he had a chance. 
She would go out with him to the front gate when 
he started home, so that as she coyly said, 'no one 
could see the bye-bye/ Many a time he had taken 
off her slippers, and he claimed to know the exact 
measure of her ankles and waist. Surely they had 
a time. You doubtless remember, too, how he 
said it stirred his passions, and into what kind of 
company he went from her side ; and that he could 
never marry her, because he did not have enough 
confidence in her virtue. Guy is paying pretty 
dearly now for all that. He is in a city hospital, 
dying a loathsome death brought on by his folly. 
Not long ago I had a letter from him telling me 
all about his case and expressing regret that he 
had ever met Nora Alrich, as his liberties with 
her had broken down his scruples and started him 
on his fatal career. Of course, she wanted him to 
caress her. She would expect the same of you or 
me were we to go with her, He who abandon lug 



60 A Young Mans Problems. 

principles and does to please others will sooner or 
later regret his mistake. There are just three steps 
in the ladder that leads a man out of the world by 
that route : the fast girl, the fallen woman, and the 
disease that ends in death. And for the girl there 
are only two steps below to the same end. Very 
often she takes the matter in her own hands and 
makes the last even shorter. I do not say that all 
fast women come to that ; but they are taking awful 
risks. And so is the young man who keeps com- 
pany with them. But there is a higher view of the 
question than that. I look on the tie that binds 
man to woman as sacred. Some day I hope to have 
a home of my own, and for its mistress one whom 
I can trust, respect, and love. I am determined 
that she shall have the best man it is in my power 
to make out of myself, and one who will be faithful 
to her/' 

"You are right in that, Paul. Too often we seek 
the pleasant or easy way instead of the right and 
best one. If one aims to reach a high standard 
and meets with disappointments, he still has the 
pleasure of knowing that he has done his best. 
Sometimes it seems to me that I may be drifting 
the wrong way. When I am out with the boys, I 
surely enjoy myself. But my conscience does not 
always let me rest when it is done. Man is a social 
being* and needs friends even as he requires pure 
air. Some are too hard to please, hence have no 
friends. Others ask too little and would be better 
off without any than such as they have. People 
have a way of acting in crowds and doing what they 
would not as individuals, and one has to keep up 



A Young Man's Problems. 61 

with his company or fall into disfavor. The no- 
tion of loyalty to associates is very strong and many 
insist, that if you want to be one with them, you 
must do just as they. In their places, amusement 
and good cheer are all right. The person who 
never smiles, as well as the one who does not know 
where play should end, is to be avoided. Often a 
good joke and laugh make a fine tonic. I even 
think that we might sometimes enjoy pranks, if 
they are harmless and played without any ill will. 
But of late I have been doing some serious think- 
ing. One cause of it is the fate of a friend of my 
childhood. As boys we were strongly attached to 
each other. Where one was the other was likely to 
be. But, about the time we were entering our 
teens, his father moved and we could not be to- 
gether nearly so much. Still we visited. At the 
time of separation we were alike in our httbits and 
tastes. Three or four years afterwards he shocked 
me by swearing in my presence. I looked at him 
in surprise. He blushed and said : 'I cannot help 
it, Tom. My comrades tease me so as to make me 
swear like they do/ As we began to enter society, 
our ways parted more widely. He went with reck- 
less boys and girls. I remember to have met him 
once at a friend's and heard him tell of his adven- 
tures. He confessed that he went from the com- 
pany of the fast girl to that of the fallen woman 
along with his crowd. He drank with them, too, 
and sometimes to excess. Deeper and deeper he 
plunged into his course. His features became 
coarse, almost beastly, his manners unpleasant. 
Eveii his wayward companions stood aloof from 



62 A Young Man's Problems. 

him. Some time ago as I stood beside his coffin 
the tears streamed down my cheeks. He had died 
from the effects of too much drinking. Standing 
there, I contrasted the innocent, warm-hearted 
friend of my early days with his character of later 
years. Two persons could hardly be more unlike. 
I wondered if his companions had made the 
change; if it is possible for one's friends to alter 
his conduct as his had been since first we played 
together. He still lingers in my memory as the 
sunny-haired, freckle-faced boy I used to love, and 
it brings the tenrs to my eye? to think of his sad 
end. If his strong impulses had been directed the 
other way, I might now rejoice in his usefulness 
and good name. I have almost made up my mind 
to change my course. For, to tell you the truth, 
my conscience^ does not lash me as it used to. And 
I am afraid I may drift too far before I know it." 
"I wish you would make that resolution now, 
Tom. A young man cannot afford to be reckless 
or go in that kind of company. Of course, some 
natures are more easily influenced than others, 
but all of us are moulded to some extent by our 
companions. It is a power that widens with time. 
One may do such things for a month or even a year 
and seem to be changed very little. But if we 
look at the effect through an extended period, it 
becomes quite plain that such a course is dangerous. 
It is not wise nor best to do as others unless they 
do right. If you would go to your associates, talk 
the matter over with them as you have with me, 
and all agree to live different lives, it would be a 
jioble choige, A manly thing too for you to do U 



A Young Man's Problems. 63 

to go to that girl yon have been caressing and 
apologize for your conduct. To be sure, it would 
shock her, but not much more than she is when 
your arm is around her; and the thrill would be 
wholesomer for both of you." 

"Oh, I cannot do that, Paul ; I cannot do that." 

"Few men are willing to undo the wrong they 
have done a woman. Yet there is nothing manlier 
than to lead back to the right those with whom 
you have gone astray." 

"But I have never gone far with her." 

"Far enough, though, that you are not likely to 
ask her to be your wife. You do not respect her 
as you would if you had not taken liberties with 
her. By custom, woman sets the bounds of man's 
conduct towards her. But, in practice, it is his 
place to help her draw and keep the line. If men 
had more sense of honor, women would have more 
virtue." 

"If women were more virtuous, men would have 
more honor too." 

"That is also true, and our statements instead 
of conflicting sustain each other. In that day of a 
stronger, nobler type of character for which we 
hope, both facts will be given their due weight." 

"You are right, Paul; and, hereafter, I expect 
to listen more to the voice of justice and reason. 
Custom cannot make right, that which in its very 
nature is wrong. To compromise one's sense of 
right is too high a price to pay for popular ap- 
plause. When a person chooses to go wrong, he 
quiets the remonstrances of his better nature with 
the plea that he will not hold to such a course long. 



64 A Young Man's Problems. 

It is very much like saying to another : 'I will go 
with you to the edge of the precipice, but if you 
fall over that will be at your own peril/ The fact 
that we expect to forsake such ties is a witness 
against us. Friendship has a firmer basis. A 
person does others a favor when he declines to go 
wrong with them. When we judge by results, 
your views along these lines are seen to be correct. 
But I would like you to tell me how to gain 
control of one's self, especially over the passions 
and temper." 

"That is a hard problem; but perhaps I can 
help you some." 



A Young Mans Problems. 65 



CHAPTER VIII. 



SELF-CONTROL. 



"Not long since a friend, who ranks high as a 
physician, told me of an experience of his and gave 
some good advice with it. And as the counsel is 
good for almost any young man, I shall repeat it 
for your sake. His case, toldjn his own words as 
nearly as I can recall them, was this: 

" 'In the city where I commenced to practice was 
a very wealthy and eccentric old man. His whole 
mind seemed to be absorbed in his business. Al- 
ready wealthy, he was working not simply to ac- 
quire thousands, but hundreds of thousands. His 
time and every power of his nature were spent in 
the pursuit of more money. His thoughts were so 
much taken up with such things that he even 
neglected to be social. Nothing else seemed to af- 
ford him any pleasure. If one succeeded in en- 
gaging him in a conversation, in a short time he 
would change it to business themes. I had just 
graduated from one of the best medical colleges 
in the country. Still I expected to have a struggle 
of it for a time to make my income equal my ex- 
penses. But fortune favored me in a very unex- 
pected way. Before I had been in the place a 
month I had a call to visit the home of this old 



66 A Young Man's Problems. 

gentleman in a professional way. His wife was 
unwell. Soon after my arrival in the city, he had 
been pointed out to me as the richest and one oi 
the most influential citizens. I observed that he 
was well along in years, hence expected to find an 
agreeable old lady wearing ruffles, cap and glasses. 
Judge my surprise to find his wife a proud, beau- 
tiful, young woman of about twenty-five. The dif- 
ference between what I had expected and the per- 
son as she was shocked me so that I was very nerv- 
ous. But she was quite free with me, and that af- 
forded much relief. After as thorough examina- 
tion of her as I could make, I failed to find any- 
thing the matter with her. I judged that she had 
nothing to do and was perhaps subject to moods. 
But it would not do to have told her that, so I gave 
her complaint an unusual Greek name, and fixed 
her up a few harmless doses. After the directions 
were written we sat and talked for some time, and 
she became quite cheerful. Upon leaving her, I 
remarked, that she was suffering from a sudden 
change in the weather and would soon feel all 
right. To say that I was pleased to have the wife 
of such a man for a patient is to put the case very 
mildly. If I could keep the practice of that fam- 
ily it would give all the prestige I wanted and was 
a guarantee of calls to others of the best homes. I 
went back to my office and took up my studies with 
no little zeal. It was hard to keep from telling 
friends about my good fortune. But silence is 
better than boasting, so I kept quiet about it and 
studied all the harder. A few days later, it was 
my pleasure to have a second call to visit her. It 



A Young Man's Problems. 67 

seemed now that my business success was assured. 
Her condition was very much as it had been be- 
fore. This time, I questioned her closely and made 
as careful examination as was in my power. The 
result confirmed my first diagnosis. Again I made 
up some simple remedies to quiet her nerves and 
tone up her system. Then we had quite a long talk, 
which seemed to do her much good. She told me 
that she had made a sad mistake in marrying an 
old man for his money and social position, and 
that she was not happy. I told her that, in the 
course of time, she would get used to his ways and 
become better reconciled. This seemed to satisfv 
her; and, at my departure, she was apparently in 
high spirits. This time I made an exhaustive read- 
ing of my standards in search of a parallel to her 
case. The study convinced me that she had no 
physical trouble. Brooding over her condition 
brought on depression. From this she sought re- 
lief in me. 

" 'The chance to make my mark of distinction 
was at hand. I determined to use it, do all in my 
power to cheer, and thus secure her influence tc 
help me. Fortune was holding out blessings with 
both hands. Diligent, faithful work, coupled with 
a little tact would surely bring me a reward. Every 
talent of my mind was called into exercise. It was 
only two or three days before she sent for me again. 
This time she had me ushered into her bedroom. 
I noticed that her toilet had been carefully made 
and that there was an unusual expression in her 
charming face. She had me take ■ a seat in a large 
armchair and sat down quite near me. We talked 



68 A Young Man's Problems. 

a short time. Then I drew out my watch and 
placed my hand on her wrist to consult her pulse, 
As I did this she arose, sat down on my lap, put 
her head on my shoulder with her face pressed 
against mine and clasped me passionately in her 
arms. If she had knocked me down it would not 
have shocked me more ; and, for a time surprise at 
her conduct left me speechless. She broke the si- 
lence by saying : "Now, doctor, you know what is 
the matter with me and what I want with you. My 
marriage was a fatal error. My husband cares ail 
for his money and nothing for me. With me it is 
a choice between this course and a worse one." To 
indulge her meant the loss of my self-respect, my 
ruin and disgrace as a physician, and the wreck of 
her home. Her intense passion quickened every 
power of my mind. The line of action came as 
an intuition to me. I would not abuse the con- 
fidence imposed in me. At the same time it would 
not do to oppose her squarely. I let her lie just as 
she was until her passion had somewhat subsided. 
Then I said : "Let us talk the matter over awhile." 
I assured her that it was not my purpose to resist 
her desire ; that I would have her follow my direc- 
lions for a fortnight, then I would come back to 
her and let her say what course we would pursue. 
I asked her if she would faithfully follow my coun- 
sel and she promised to do so. My prescription 
was for her to live on bread, water and milk foi 
that time, and to walk and carry a bunch of flow- 
ers daily to a young woman who had been hurt in 
a railroad wreck and was lying at the hospital 
about a mile away. I repeated the directions, told 



A Young Mans Problems. 69 

her that I would be at her command two weeks 
from that day, and with all the composure and 
kindness I could command took my leave. 

" 'Upon inquiring I learned that she was mak- 
ing the daily trips and carrying beautiful bouquets 
with her. On the appointed day I again had a 
summons to visit her, and with some misgivings 
answered it. She met me at the door looking paler 
but prettier than I had ever seen her. She greeted 
me very pleasantly and conducted me to her pri- 
vate room. Directing me to a chair, she took an- 
other near by and said: "The gratitude of one 
woman is yours for life, doctor. I chose you for 
my physician because you are young and hand- 
some. But Heaven must have sent you to me. 
You have taught me how to master my passions, 
have saved my home, and at the same time given 
the world a woman with a purpose and a will. Your 
tact secured my obedience to your orders. In do- 
ing something for that unfortunate young lady my 
aim in life has been entirely changed. Her smiles 
and gratitude have awakened a new set of feelings 
within me. The performance of a good deed gives 
sweet, pure happiness. I shall never cease to thank 
you for teaching me how to be strong and useful." 
To this day she freely gives her time and strength 
in caring for the sick and needy within her reach, 
and is one of the best friends and advisers of 
young people that I have ever known. She recom- 
mended me to her friends and helped me to secure 
a first-class practice. She treats me as though I 
was her brother. A person can and ought to gov- 
ern himself. By taking plenty of exercise, attend- 



70 A Young Man's Problems. 

ing to diet and habits, and taking an interest in 
the welfare of others one can control his emotions. 
Eat less, work more and keep away from the one 
who tempts you to go astray/ 

"That advice has been worth much to me* A 
young man does not have to be the slave of his 
passions. He does not need to follow a wrong 
custom or wicked impulse. Then, too, one may 
become master of his temper. So many people 
have explosive tempers which lead them to do or 
say something that causes remorse and perhaps 
trouble. In a hasty look, word, or act there may 
be a lifelong sting. I can remember times when as 
a child, I was desperate. A mad spirit seemed 
to rule me. In the house, along the roadside, and 
among my playmates, it was a disturbing factor. 
Punishment seemed powerless to check it. One 
day a friend played a joke on me. While in a rage 
at his conduct, I got hold of a deadly weapon and 
would have killed him on the spot, but for the 
kind interference of a third person. When the 
fury was spent, it left me weak. Afterwards, in 
thinking the matter over, I found grounds for 
serious alarm. It became plain that unless a 
change was made my temper would lead to some 
act that would embitter my life. It was growing 
more violent all the time. I felt ashamed, too, 
to think that I had so little control of myself. To 
have the respect of others had always been one of 
my aims. But how could one have that, how 
could he even have his own approval when so weak 
that any little jar to his nervous system could in- 
duce an almost frenzied state of mind? What to 



A Young Man's Problems. 71 

do, became a serious question. In my reading, I 
had come across some wise man's counsel saying: 
'When angry count ten before speaking. If very 
angry, count a hundred/ From this I got the 
idea that silence would be helpful. Being deeply 
impressed that I ought to control myself, I de- 
termined to do so. What a task was before me. 
But I set myself to the effort. Every little while 
I would be taken off my guard and give way to my 
feelings without thinking. But it is an awful 
thing to say something that may drive a friend or 
loved one from you forever, to utter words one 
minute that the next you would give all you possess 
to recall; to think of them cutting and rasping 
through all the years of another's life is startling. 
For years I have been wrestling with my temper 
and still it requires watching. Self-enforced si- 
lence helps far towards the desired end. It is best 
for me to avoid talking on subjects that may irri- 
tate. When the storm of feeling is felt to be 
rising let no harsh word escape the lips. In fol- 
lowing this course, one sometimes has to endure 
things hard to be borne. But one compensating 
fact is that no remorse results from such conduct. 
The will was given to man to be kept strictly for 
his own use, and he who would have peace of mind 
must yield his will to none but his Maker. If my 
temper was not so strong, in some cases, I would 
be more exacting of others. But the wisest course 
is that which gives one self-restraint. If a person 
knows that he cannot swim, he should avoid deep 
water. One ought to know his weak point and 
keep a guard before it. Such a course will save 



72 A Young Mans Problems. 

many a heartache and foster self-respect. It is 
possible to enthrone the will over the conduct. 
And the results will repay all the effort." 

"Yes, Paul/' said Tom, "there is something 
6ublime in a strong, true character. The impulses 
and desires of men overlap. But there is a sure 
limit for each and that line is what we call right, 
one of the most far-reaching words in our lan- 
guage. The deepest, sweetest pleasure the mind 
can know is that which flows from doing and be- 
ing right. It is better to be the master of one's 
self and live with a pure purpose, than to govern 
an empire and be the slave of one's passions." 

"As to a matter of choice you are correct. But 
those two states are not exclusive. Those whi> 
acquire power over others first conquered them- 
selves. A man is seen to have no fear of death; 
and straightway his more timid comrades urge 
him to lead them in the assault against the foe. 
Grasp the difficulties of life firmly, and they 
wither within your hand. Eesolve to control 
yourself, and you can." 

"These talks with you, Paul, about what man 
can be and ought to do give me a better opinion 
of the worth of human life. To think of the pos- 
sible almost inspires me. I would be glad to have 
your views in regard to education. Some attach 
very little value to it, and others give learning a 
commanding position. What is your opinion ?" 

"Amidst the multitude of voices thronging your 
ears, mine is but one. But I shall tell you plainly 
what I think about the subject." 



A Young Mans Problems. 73 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE VALUE OF AN EDUCATION. 

"From a young man's standpoint, one of the 
first things to be decided in the matter is whether 
he has all the equipment he needs. Till man- 
hood's years, he has in large measure, been de- 
pendent on others by whom his course has been 
directed. It is only just to assume that they have 
done for him the best they knew and could. In 
some cases, this would afford all the education 
one could desire ; in others, it has amounted to al- 
most nothing. Poverty and misfortune, it may 
be, have oppressed both parent and child. Or, 
easy circumstances may have given all the oppor- 
tunity needed in order to use to the best advan- 
tage the period of youth. For one to make the 
most of himself, it is required that a good founda- 
tion should have been laid. If the muscles have 
not been fairly well trained before this age it is 
hard to bring them to a high point of skill. If the 
mental parts have been neglected, it is too late 
to fully develop them. But let us suppose that at 
the age of seventeen or eighteen judicious parents 
are willing to encourage their children in the de- 
sire to make the most of themselves. What con- 
siderations should urge the youth to seek an edu- 
cation? It is natural to man to desire to be 
strong. The human brain is strengthened by 



74 A Young Man's Problems. 

proper use. This proposition can be fairly proven. 
A person who at first effort memorizes a given 
number of words can by practicing a while learn 
many more in the same length of time. Expe- 
rience, now so much demanded, has the basis of 
its worth in a judgment trained along some par- 
ticular line. By repeated mastery of hard tasks, 
the will power is developed. A well-chosen system, 
then, affords exercise for strengthening all the 
mental parts. History and geography train, in a 
special degree, the memory. A study of the lan- 
guages and sciences exercises the judgment, while 
mathematics leads out the reasoning powers, and 
struggling to solve the hard problems in either of 
these fields develops the will. The person who 
takes a thorough course in a gymnasium has not 
only stronger muscles in each part used, but an 
increased amount of vigor with which to do each 
and all of life's duties. It is the same way with a 
well-educated person. He has more mental force 
than he would have had. And this is for use in 
any field of work in which he cares to employ it. 
This fact in itself, is a most urgent reason why 
one should seek an education. If there was no 
other, it alone is enough to induce one to act." 

"Do you mean to say that the mastery of a 
school or college course gives added mental 
strength ?" 

"Yes." 

"Then why is it that so many who have had no 
such advantages outstrip others who have?" 

"Men have natural powers and acquired ones. 
A person by nature weak may train all he pleases 



A Young Maris Problems. 75 

and yet not become the equal in strength of an- 
other person who has faculties which may be rep- 
resented in relative power by five; and another, 
whose powers on the same basis would be ten. 
If by some process of training the inborn talents 
of the first could be doubled, he would still be un- 
equal to the second. In fact there is a much wider 
natural difference between men than that assumed. 
Contrast the mathematical genius with the person 
who cannot learn the division tables. In that re- 
spect, one surpasses the other many-fold. And 
even one who has good parts may be inferior in 
some of them to one who is not his all-around 
equal." 

"One fact still stands to prevent me agreeing 
with you. Some unlearned men have filled high 
places of trust and honor. They had little or no 
scholastic training. How did they become so 
strong ?" 

"You never heard of one of that kind making 
the calculations for a suspension bridge. They rose 
by virtue of their force of character. They had 
mighty wills. And the will may be developed by 
struggling with poverty and hardship. Of course, 
their capacity was born with them. When great 
obstacles are found blocking his road, the average 
individual gives up and complains of his hard fate. 
Now and then one is found who says 'man is great- 
er than his circumstances/ and proceeds to go on in 
his chosen way. He has in him the stuff of which 
those who acquire kingdoms are made. A sound 
acorn falling into the cleft of a rock and finding 
moisture and soil grows and opens a place for itself. 



76 A Young Man's Problems. 

The person who believes and wills succeeds or leaves 
a sublime example to inspire others." 

"That is plainly true." 

"Again, education gives one the command of his 
parts. You and I, to-day, could make little use 
of fine, edged tools, because we have had nothing 
to do with such things. But we have good control 
of our hands and could learn to handle them. But 
suppose that we had grown up to manhood without 
using them for throwing, fencing, writing and 
working. It would be poor service they would ren- 
der us. So of the mental parts ; in order to be of 
much worth they must be trained. The usage of 
the schoolroom tends to this end. It is aimed to 
exercise all the faculties. Of course, one may 
memorize the demonstrations of geometry word by 
word instead of following out the reasoning pro- 
cesses and thus to some extent defeat the purpose 
of the study. Or he may copy another's transla- 
tion instead of working out the exercise for him- 
self. But that is not the system's fault. Consid- 
ering all the facts, we must conclude from the re- 
sults that the faithful performance of assigned 
tasks helps the student to obtain a better command 
of his faculties. And while it does not always fol- 
low that because he has had the option of such ad- 
vantages he has profited by them, it is certain that 
the opportunity to improve one's self is provided 
in them. If one wants a chance to develop his 
mental powers, he will find it a most effective help 
to take such a course. The attentive exercise of a 
faculty gives a better command of it." 

"Since you have admitted that there may be fail- 



A Young Man's Problems. W 

r 

ures and have given a reason for it, in a good de- 
gree, I agree with you. But may there not be such 
a thing as overdoing ?" 

"Yes, and for that reason one should choose for 
his teachers persons who are both interested in his 
welfare and have good judgment. Too prolonged 
a strain at anything in early life is harmful. The 
drill, helpful as it is, may be carried to such ex- 
haustion as to beget indifference and even an- 
tagonism. 

"Another reason for choosing to take a course at 
some place of higher education is for the influence 
of the spirit pervading the body. This may seem 
a minor matter. But there are pictures which im- 
press on the beholder's mind certain lines of 
thought. One style of dress makes a person ap- 
pear reckless, and another fashion suggests chaste 
ideas. Enthusiasm is contagious. One among a 
body of earnest students feels an impulse to put 
forth his best efforts. Something in the atmo- 
sphere about the grounds and buildings appeals to 
the best there is in the human character. This and 
the mental influence of such a community gives 
a deeper, broader view of life. Amid such sur- 
roundings one can but feel that he is living not 
alone for the day but for the future, too. Does 
anyone question the ennobling effects of such feel- 
ings ? A life that has once throbbed with a strong, 
pure impulse can no longer endure a selfish exist- 
ence. 

"I might remind you, too, of the usefulness of 
and the pleasure of obtaining knowledge. Without 
it man dwells in caves or sheds and battles against 



?8 A Young Man's Problems. 

wild beasts for a living. He may have a wife, but 
has no home. Of the past he knows only as the lips 
of the aged tell him. His fancy peoples earth and 
air with monsters. To struggle, to suffer, and to 
die with dread as his most constant mental state 
is his lot. Life is, for him, one wide, weary waste 
over which darkness tremulously broods. But 
knowledge, like light, scatters the shadows. The 
tide of interest in his fellow-beings rises higher and 
higher until his own welfare is linked with that of 
every other living man. The oceans become high- 
ways across which mutual transfers of the com- 
forts of life are made. On land, each encourages 
and strengthens the other. From the home goes 
out that sweet, holy influence which makes men 
true and women pure. Even for its own sake it is 
good to seek knowledge. Before it, the phantasms 
which pierce with terror the hearts of the ignorant 
flee. It acquaints man with himself, his neighbor, 
and points him towards his Creator. Through 
books it brings him into touch with the brave and 
good of the present and past ages. An endless 
pursuit, it affords lifelong pleasure. Power to do 
good is one of its offspring and peace of mind an- 
other. Standing with an unknown past behind 
him, with the boundless depths of space on every 
side, and the everlasting future ahead, man feels 
that somehow, some way, he is related to that fu- 
ture and this infinite something about him. Hav- 
ing only one life to live, and with mighty impulses 
and desires for the best rising up in his nature 
again and again, the question comes to each, what 
shall I do ? What shall I give my fellow-man and 



A Young Man's Problems. 79 

the one who is to come after me ? And there rises 
from out the depths the answer, 'Give the most per- 
fect work yon can do, and the example and influ- 
ence of the most perfect being it is in your power 
to become/ If one can by a few years of special 
effort so prepare himself that all the rest of his life 
may be spent with better effect, is he not under the 
deepest obligation to make that preparation ?" 

"Yes, Paul, he is. When it comes down to that, 
everyone can but ask himself, 'what is my duty?' 
But before some there are great obstacles. Take, 
for instance, the young man who has not the 
means to support himself in such an undertaking. 
What can he do?" 

"If nothing else, take a correspondence course of 
instruction and buy himself some good books. 
Character develops along the lines of faith, love 
and purpose. But to the youth who is free to de- 
vote himself to it, I would say, determine to make 
the most of yourself, and then go straight to work. 
While there are not as many as there might be, 
still there are numbers of persons who are anxious 
to assist such characters. Find work, earn and 
save money, and use it for self improvement. 
Demonstrate that you are worthy and when your 
purpose is known someone will give you a chance 
to help yourself. Towards the end of your course 
borrow money on your character, to be refunded 
as soon as you are able to do so, and devote all 
your energies to the aim in view. I would not ad- 
vise going in debt much for an education. It 
might embarrass you. Find some way to bear 
your own expenses as much as possible. He who 



80 A Young Man's Problems. 

wants to make something of himself can surely 
find the means to do it." 

"How can he find it?" 

"I am glad you asked that question. A man 
may not own a dollar and yet be able to com- 
mand the use of thousands. Every young man 
may, if he chooses, have a good name, and a loan 
secured by that is just about as safe as a nation's 
bonds. Money is not the only factor in business. 
Confidence and honor are fully as essential. In 
fact, if a choice had to be made, we could get along 
better without the money than without the other 
two elements." 



A Young Mans Problems. 81 



CHAPTER X. 

A GOOD NAME. 

"Everyone has access once in life to a mine 
that is worth more than gold and silver. None 
can take it from him. Only himself has power to 
do that. He may throw it away, but, if he does, 
it is gone forever. The woman who walks the 
streets and whose name is a synonym for all that 
is shameful and low once had this possession. The 
man burdened with self-reproach, upon whom 
others look as on an unclean thing, whom no one 
trusts nor honors once had this priceless treasure. 
If he had all the treasures of the mines he would 
gladly exchange them for this. In wilfulness or 
carelessness he let it go. Woe to that day ! Eiches 
may be thrown. away and recovered, but a good 
name, once lost, is gone forever. The foundation of 
a good name is a righteous character. It belongs 
to the one who is strong and brave, true and faith- 
ful to the pure and the good. So it is clear that 
he who has this treasure must earn it. Its be- 
ginning lies back in the early years of childhood, 
though the forces which affect it may work 
through many generations. The habits, disposi- 
tion, motives, everything affecting personal his- 
tory are involved. It means honesty, industry, 
fairness, faithfulness, and freedom from vice, all 



82 A Young Mans Problems. 

in one; and is gained only by persistent effort. 
One misdeed may sully it. As character is what 
one truly is, so a name is his own and others' 
record of what he has been and done. Whether 
he wills to or not, each is daily writing it out. The 
boy who shirks his work, who is not careful to 
speak the truth, who is unfair or base in any of 
his actions will meet his past self again in man- 
hood's realm. If the youth did one plain wrong 
that fact gives basis to challenge the grounds of 
all his conduct. Little does the one who trifles, 
cheats, tells falsehoods and disregards the rights 
of others think that he is making a form by which 
his fellow-men will some day judge him. But 
everything of the kind is written in someone's 
mind, even written in his own face and bearing 
as evidence against him. The girl who lets pas- 
sion or a vicious temper control her actions foi 
only once has a blackening stain over her good 
name. Some school children were guilty of an 
offence for which they were taken into court. A 
former teacher, upon being told of the occurrence, 
asked for the names of the offenders. When told 
who they were, he said : 'Such conduct would be 
about like them/ If one has shown himself to 
have a selfish or unpleasant nature, some day the 
fact will rise among men to condemn him. 

"Some persons who have a shadowed past, ap- 
pear to find delight in recalling it. The close ob- 
server knows that if the occasion should come 
those errors would be repeated. But as the motive 
determines the degree of guilt, many of the faults 
of youth are overlooked as coming from thought- 



A Young Man's Problems. 83 

lessness or a playful nature rather than growing 
from evil principles. And there are errors of igno- 
rance as well as those of ill-will. At last, man- 
hood's years are reached, and the individual takes 
up some line of life-work. His every action is 
scanned. Let him break his word or defraud some 
one. He has sown the seed of distrust. His pay 
for his wrong-doing is a stained name. When he 
sees the shadow cast by his action, he may weep, 
repent of it, and resolve never to do the like again. 
But it is not likely he can regain that so care- 
lessly thrown away. One may get a bad repute 
by keeping evil company. Suppose a young woman 
is known to accept the attention of a man notorious 
for his immoral practices. It will soon come to 
be thought that she is no better than he. I knew 
a most excellent lady who had allowed such a per- 
son to visit her for some time. When, at last, she 
had found out his true nature, she sent him away. 
For revenge he told false and unkind things about 
her. Prom these she suffered very much. Many 
withheld from her that full confidence which a 
pure woman desires and merits. It was a dear 
price to pay for so slight a mistake. If a young 
man is known to associate with reckless or low 
characters of either sex, it gives ground for the 
inference that he is no better than those whose 
company he keeps. The person who expects to 
make anything of himself cannot afford to do 
wrong of any kind or go with those having bad 
records. So much for that side. Now let us look 
at the other. 
"Take -a case like you referred to, of a young 



84 A Young Man's Problems. 

man or woman who desires an education but has 
not the means to meet the expenses. People will 
ask if he is worthy and worth helping. When it 
is learned that he is, one will offer to provide some 
work, another is willing to lend some money, and 
so on. Why do they do it ? Because they believe 
in the intrinsic value of character — that on which 
a good name rests. And except death or accident 
prevents, the young persons so trusted are almost 
sure to repay their benefactors the last dollar. 
There is in our land to-day at least one woman's 
college, where young women of good character, 
who are without sufficient means, are trusted 
for their board and tuition, which are to be re- 
paid after they have completed their course and 
earned the money. It is expected that in this way 
the school will be endowed; the one who was fa- 
vored a few years ago thus providing the funds for 
helping the deserving student to-day. In nearly 
all the leading schools some provisions exist for 
making loans on character. How is it in the busi- 
ness world ? In the great Chicago fire, some men 
lost every dollar they owned. But they were known 
to be honest, industrious, and capable. On that 
capital — a good name — they were enabled to raise 
enough to start in business again. Almost any- 
where, if it is known that a man will pay the debts 
he makes, and has good judgment, he can com- 
mand all the money he wants. The person who 
thinks his word worth too much to break it, finds 
that others are willing to take him at his own price. 
It is equally true that the one who is known to dis- 
regard his promises is treated with distrust on 



A Young Man's Problems. 85 

every side. When a merchant is found to misrep- 
resent his goods, people avoid him. The farmer 
who swindles, the laborer who slights his work, the 
preacher who is known to be insincere, all suffer 
more from the want of confidence than they profit 
by their unprincipled behavior. Of course, wealthy 
individuals and firms, though they may not be con- 
sidered honest, can buy on credit, because it is pos- 
sible to compel them to settle their accounts. In 
these cases, the confidence rests on the laws rather 
than the man. In spite of his credit he is looked 
on with distrust. If a dealer proves himself to be 
fair, truthful and reliable, the fact not only secures 
him trade, but also good will. But a good name 
is a source of protection as well as favor. Owing 
to accidents of various natures, it sometimes hap- 
pens that one cannot keep his word to the exact 
day. Sickness, crop failures, or something of the 
kind may prevent. Then the unreliable man gets 
no mercy. His excuse is not accepted. He must 
pay that he owes. Under the same conditions, the 
trustworthy person is treated with more favor and 
may secure an extension of time; or a chain of 
evidence may point to someone as the agent of a 
crime. Then, the question of the person's past 
record comes up. In the light of it, might he be 
expected to commit such a deed ? If so, he is likely 
to have to suffer the penalty. But in a test like 
this, the person whose past life has been above re- 
proach gets the benefit of the doubt. There are 
individuals who could not be convicted of a base 
or shameful deed by circumstantial evidence. Why ? 
Because their good name has more weight than the 



86 A Young Man's Problems. 

other. There are women of such pure characters 
that none of their acquaintances would believe a 
slanderous story against them. Some men have 
so much firmness and candor, that even malice and 
envy would not dare to assail their good name. An 
inspector found a shortage in the funds in charge 
of a government clerk. A strong chain of evidence 
was woven to show that he had embezzled them. 
At the same time there were other ways of account- 
ing for their disappearance. In defence of the ac- 
cused were his denial and past record. He had 
borne a stainless name. Brought to trial before a 
jury of his fellow-men, the testimony was sifted. 
The evidence against him was strong. Could any- 
thing rescue him? By their verdict more than 
half of those twelve men said that a good name 
carries with it a presumption of innocence which 
nothing but absolute proof can overthrow. His 
clean record saved him from disgrace. Then, when 
one seeks advancement at the hands of others, in 
the business, social, or political spheres, his past 
history must bear inspection and disclosure. If 
there has been one misstep of any kind, it will be 
magnified, and corresponding virtues shadowed 
thereby. No grounds exist for the hope of pro- 
motion, to him who has been faithless in a place of 
minor trust. It sometimes happens that one's tal- 
ents are equal to the duties of a high position. 
Friends urge him to seek it. But a dark shadow, 
a painful remembrance rises up from other days. 
His guilt he dares not face. The offer is declined. 
It must be a sad thing to be ashamed of one's past 
self. Surely the wrong deeds of former years come 



A Young Mans Problems. 87 

back again and again to curse the doer. How, as 
with grinning faces and fiendish manners!, they 
mock him. 'Would you like to have this honor 
and wear your disgrace along with it? A wise 
man has regard for the future as well as for the 
present pleasure/ Life affords nothing sweeter 
or better than a good home. The happiness and 
security of this both rest on a good character. 

"Though she had all wealth and culture and 
beauts, no man could be induced to choose as the 
queen of his heart a woman of ill fame. The one 
to wh jin he offers that honor he believes to be true 
and pure. If she accepts, it denotes reliance on his 
manhood. A high standing in this respect is the 
only passport to the company of a good woman. 
On the foundation of a good name and mutual 
choice rests the peace and enjoyment of that 
blessed place called home. 'A good name is rather 
to be chosen than great riches/ " 

"I am glad, Paul, that you brought up this 
subject. Now I can see why you are so careful 
about your habits and the company you keep. You 
have made it plain to me that nothing is worth 
so much to a young person as a good name. But 
sometimes an individual secures a place of trust 
of which he is not worthy. What would you say 
about that?" 

"People may succeed in deceiving others. For 
a while, some pass for what they are not. The 
best things are counterfeited. It is possible to 
have a good report and not deserve it. The only 
solid and enduring basis of a spotless name is in 
the real value of the character for which it stands. 



88 A Young Man's Problems. 

The vital matter is to be right. One may have a 
deserved reputation for excellence in some respect 
and not have the manhood to correspond with it. 
Hence strong faculties need the reinforcement of 
manly principles." 



A Young Mans Problems, 89 



CHAPTEE XI. 

SELF-APPROVAL VERSUS MONEY. 

"Is this Mr. Essen?" asked a pale, tired look- 
ing young man as the door was opened in response 
to his raps. Upon being assured that it was, he 
at once stated his ease : "I have spent much time 
working on an instrument designed to destroy the 
germs of disease that exist in the atmosphere of 
our dwellings, schools, churches and other places 
of concourse. The idea came to me after reading 
about some attempts to force vegetable growth by 
means of underground wires charged with elec- 
tricity. All have noticed that the air is much 
purer and more invigorating after thunderstorms. 
Chemistry gives an explanation of this fact. The 
electricity produces ozone, which is a powerful 
disinfectant, and also affects the atmosphere in 
other ways. So it occurred to me that an instru- 
ment might be contrived which would continually 
do for the atmosphere of our houses what the storm 
does out doors; and I have discovered a way by 
which this can be done and expect to have the 
gratitude of this and coming ages for my labors. 
My instrument will banish some of the most fatal 
diseases from the earth and lengthen the period 
of human life." 

"Do you think that you have made a discovery 
of such far-reaching nature?" 



?0 A Young Man's Problems. 

"I am as sure of it as that I am talking to you* 
Bear with me, and I will demonstrate the fact to 
you/' 

"If you can do that, I may surely spare the time 
to hear your cause. By the way, what is your 
name ?" 

"Smith, John Smith/' replied the other, and 
proceeded to open a box which he had brought 
with him. "This, as you see, is a chemical battery 
of high power. It is used to generate the elec- 
tricity on the same plan as that used in the tele- 
graph. You can have it of any power you please; 
though, of course, it is best to have a strong cur- 
rent. This is to be fastened to, or else built into 
the walls of the room. These fine wires are to 
radiate out from the battery, cross the upper part 
of the room, and again collect into a bundle on 
the other side where they enter a diffuser having 
connection with the outside air. Or by means of 
this coupler, the current may be conveyed to other 
rooms in the building and thence out as before. 
If you will lend me your help, I will put this up 
in your room. I have one in mine and my health is 
much better now than it used to be." They went 
to work and, at length, had the apparatus in work- 
ing order. Some chemicals and rain water were 
put into a jar; and soon they recognized that pe- 
culiar odor which is to be noticed around a work- 
ing electrical machine. 

"You observed that a few minutes ago there 
were some flies in the room," said the inventor. 
"They have all left, for they cannot stand it in 
here. My theory is that the bacteria are affected 
by it in a like way or else killed." 



A Young Man's Problems. 91 

"It will require a good deal of time and many 
experiments to make a thorough test of your 
claims," remarked our young friend. "And be- 
sides that, the element of cost will have to be con- 
sidered. The endorsement of some noted scientist 
might be worth a good deal to you. Some in^ 
ventions are of such importance that it would be 
well for the government to give the inventor finan- 
cial backing for awhile until he can get the public's 
attention. But so many notions prove baseless, 
that for the most part, it is better to let each win 
its place. Each new thought has to struggle for 
acceptance. If you go before the world as an 
inventor, the first question will be 'who is he V and 
the next 'what has he done?* If it is found that 
you are a new man in the field, you will be ridi- 
culed by many who have won their places, and 
disregarded by the masses of the people. To get 
this contrivance of yours before the public will 
take money, work and pluck. I do not suppose 
there are fifty persons in the country who would 
let you put one of your instruments in their house, 
much less buy one. In spite of the Pasteur germ- 
proof water filters, people continue to drink water 
from their cisterns, wells, creeks, and ponds, 
just as they used to do. If one of them dies from 
drinking polluted water, Providence instead of 
bad habits, gets credit for it." 

"I know, Mr. Essen, that I will have to stem 
the current of criticism and endure much indiffer- 
ence; but I have so much confidence in the final 
outcome that such things do not disturb me. 
Trouble comes to me along financial lines, I %m 



92 A Young Mans Problems. 

needing help in that respect now. How would it 
suit you to take the apparatus we have put up, 
together with three others and a lien on my patent, 
to secure yourself in exchange for some money ?" 

"I think it would be a very risky investment. 
Still I would like to see you have an opportunity, 
so I will accommodate you and take my chances 
on your success." So they made an agreement, 
and, with a lighter heart, Mr. Smith went back to 
work at perfecting his device. Paul persuaded 
three of his acquaintances who lived in unhealthy 
localities to let him put up the other three "ozo- 
nizers." And they agreed to inform him of the re- 
sults. While the season was passing he made 
faithful inquiry as to their effectiveness and 
learned that they had not met their inventor's 
hopes. Too much attention was require'd to keep 
them in good working order. Like knowledge of 
the laws of health, such a thing is hardly ever 
given the care needed to make it render good serv- 
ice. Paul satisfied himself that though the prin- 
ciple might be a good one, the apparatus would 
not give general satisfaction. 

A reporter having heard of the invention sought 
an interview with its author. Drawing largely 
on his fancy he gave it a very promising write up. 
This fell into the hands of a shrewd, though un- 
scrupulous person, who conceived the idea of 
awakening interest by announcing the invention 
as a great discovery, having himself interviewed 
and pushing sales while curiosity was stirred. 
While interesting himself in the matter he learned 
of a section of country where a great deal of sick- 



A Young Mans Problems. 93 

ness was prevailing. The influence of a person of 
well-known uprightness was needed to forward the 
enterprise. Paul was selected as the proper per- 
son. His wide acquaintanceship formed while go- 
ing to school, and his record for fairness and hon- 
esty gave him much power over others. He was 
approached and assured that the instrument was 
a decided success. A part interest in a plant to 
manufacture it was offered at a fair price. This 
he declined. Then it was proposed to give him a 
share of the returns for the weight of his name in 
the firm. No burden or risk would go with it. To 
this he made answer: 

"No. I am out some on this apparatus. You 
offer me a chance to regain that and get a profit. 
There is no doubt in my mind that you will make 
it pay fairly well, for you have many of the ele- 
ments of a successful salesman. If it had proven 
to be what its author hoped, I would be glad to 
help him in his enterprise. I have tried to get 
the facts fully from those who have used it. If 
these had convinced me of its practical value no 
one could have helped more freely to forward the 
sales. But until I am satisfied that it measures 
up to your claim, you are wasting strength to try 
to persuade me. I would rather have the approval 
of my own mind than anything that wealth or 
place can give to man. My influence can, with 
my consent, only act in accord with m.£ judgment 
and sense of right." 

, ir ,,"But," said the other, "if one has the money he 
can get all the honor and everything else he wants." 

"Yes^ he can secure all the honor that em b§ 



94 A Young Man's Problems. 

bought ; but what is it worth after one hasjt ? If 
one can get it by just means, money is a good 
thing to have. Still it is possible to pay too much 
for even that. A man would better be at peace 
with himself and against the world, than against 
himself and on good terms with everybody else. 
The good will, love or honor that has a money 
value, that comes and goes with the shifting for- 
tunes of life, is too dearly paid for when it costs 
a man his self-respect and peace of mind." Con- 
vinced that he could do nothing with Paul, the 
manager sought aid elsewhere. By taking advan- 
tage of the occasion he did a most thriving busi- 
ness in the region where so much sickness pre- 
vailed. While prospering, he showed Mr. Essen 
his income, and again urged him to allow the use 
of his influence to extend the field of sales. The 
reply was in line with his other: "I know that 
fortunes are sometimes made by unfair profits, 
by watering stocks, by oppressing the working 
man and the like. But there are better things 
than to gratify the desire for pleasure or for power 
over others. Money acquired by just means is a 
great blessing. To have the praise and honor of 
one's fellow-men is a worthy aim. But the con- 
sciousness that one is in the right, and is doing 
his duty is the sweetest pleasure earth can give." 



A Young Man's Problems. 95 



CHAPTER XII. 

CHOOSING HIS LIFE-WORK. 

Upon leaving school, Paul secured a position 
with a dealer in real estate. He already had a good 
general notion of the value of such property. After 
entering on the duties, he daily added to this 
knowledge by a careful study of everything relat- 
ing to it. When thinking about anything, he held 
his mind to the subject with all the power of con- 
centration at his command ; and soon he was better 
posted than most persons engaged in that line of 
work. He was a good judge of buildings, knew 
the relative value of soils, and could determine 
from its location and surroundings whether a house 
would make a healthy home or not, and what a 
place's market advantages would be. To all, he 
was friendly; but his habits were guarded with 
care. In snowing prospective buyers the various 
sites and tracts, he was a genial companion, but 
never indulged in the social evils with them. In 
this way he gave deep offence to a wealthy man 
who charged him with thinking himself better than 
others. They had been driving together for sev- 
eral hours looking at some tracts of land and had 
become somewhat chilly. The other, who always 
carried his bottle on such occasions, offered our 
young friend a drink to warm him up. Paul 
thanked him but declined. This threw the other 



96 A Young Man's Problems. 

into a rage. "And yon think yon are too good to 
drink with me, do you ? I do not propose to spend 
my money with a firm that feels itself to be above 
me," roared he, with red face and glaring eyes. 

"No, it is not that. Yon do not understand me. 
In the first place, the warmth only lasts a short 
time, to give place later to a deeper chill. The 
man who abstains simply uses the same right as 
the one who indulges does. You follow your 
course because it pleases you. It would not please 
me. And the person who declines your offer, only 
says by the act that he does not care to indulge." 

"So you think you can set yourself up against a 
social custom that has prevailed for ages except 
among a few fanatics, do you ?" 

"Yes, sir, if it does not seem to me right to fol- 
low it. A young man is better off without the use 
of stimulants. Habits grow fast; and the best 
way to overcome a seducing one is not to begin it. 
I may be a parent some day, and I am determined 
that none of my offspring shall have to struggle 
with an appetite inherited from me." He said 
this in such a calm, decided manner that his com- 
panion replied: 

"There is no use to talk to you about this, for 
you are set in your ways." So the subject was 
changed, and they were very agreeable the remain- 
der of the day. As the prospector did not enjoy 
drinking by himself, the one drink supplied him 
for the trip. In the evening while talking the 
matter over with Paul's employer, the other re- 
marked : 

"That is a fine young fellow you sent out with 



A Young Man's Problems. 97 

me to-day, and would make a decided success if he 
was a little more yielding on some points. I of- 
fered him a drink this evening and, would you be- 
lieve it, he declined. He showed more grit than 
almost any other young man I ever saw. And he 
made me see the question in a different light from 
what I had ever viewed it. He said he was using 
his right in following his judgment as I would in 
choosing one home in preference to another. At 
first I was very much angered, but his bearing, tone, 
and reasoning quieted my feelings. He would be a 
jewel for you if he was not so strict." Another 
time, a buyer had found a place to suit him, except 
he feared that it was not as healthy as he desired. 
After having heard his views, Paul told him that 
it did not have the best name in that respect, but 
could be made all right by draining the cellar and 
a nearby pond. The dread of ill health was so 
strong that the man decided not to make the pur- 
chase, and on returning he gave that as his reason 
for not buying it, and further stated that the young 
man who accompanied him had admitted the just- 
ness of the objection. The principal was incensed 
at his employee for missing such a sale and took 
him to task. 

"If you had not admitted that the homestead 
where you went to-day was unhealthy, I could have 
sold it and cleared three hundred dollars. You 
pay too much attention to your conscience." 

"I did admit that the health of the families who 
have lived there was not the best ; but I further 
said that if the cellar under the dwelling was 
drained and a pond close by emptied, it would take 
away the cause of the sickness." 



98 A Young Man's Problems. 

"Hereafter, young man, be careful when your 
conscience comes between you and your duty to 
me." 

"I cannot see how I could do otherwise under 
such circumstances." As that was the only ground 
of complaint against Paul, the matter was dropped. 

In a prosperous city, three men were seated talk- 
ing. One of the number, an elderly man, was 
complaining that his business overtaxed his 
strength, and expressed a desire to find a thorough- 
ly trustworthy young man whom he might take 
into the firm for his services and train to manage 
the affairs. Another of the company, a person with 
a round, red face said: "Down at Almina I met 
a young fellow working with a real estate firm who 
might suit you. He has a pleasant disposition 
and is surely true to his convictions. One raw day 
some time ago he had been driving around with 
me and had been very thoughtful and kind. At 
length I drew my bottle and proposed that he 
should take a drink with me. He politely but 
firmly declined. His refusal displeased me very 
much at the time, but he pleaded his case so well 
that I will never again take such a refusal as an 
offence. My opinion is that you would find him 
to be honest, trustworthy and capable." 

"Was that Paul Essen?" put in the third. 

"Yes." 

"And not long ago he missed selling me a home- 
stead by admitting that families living in the 
house had suffered a good deal from sickness. I 
would have closed the deal that day if he had not 
made the admission. He gave a good reason 



A Young Man's Problems. 99 

though for their poor health. After coming home 
and thinking over the matter, I decided to write 
to a friend there and get him to make a thorough 
inquiry about it. He did so and reported that a 
small amount spent in drainage would make the 
place a charming home. I expect to buy it. There 
is no question about that young fellow having 
both common sense and a conscience. I am sure 
you could trust him. He is obliging and has ex- 
cellent judgment, but he is very firm in his stand 
for what he thinks is right." 

"That is the kind of a young man I have been 
looking for for a long time/' said the old gentle- 
man. "A man who truly respects himself will be 
true to others. What did you say his name is?" 

"Paul Essen," chimed the other two. 

He traced up Paul's record and was pleased with 
it. So he visited Almina and sought out our 
young friend. Having found him, they entered 
freely into conversation. "May I venture to ask 
you," said the elder one, "in what field of work 
you expect to spend your life ?" 

"That," replied the other, "has given me much 
serious thought. After making a thorough study 
of myself, I am sure that my talent is for busi- 
ness. Such work is congenial to me. I have 
striven hard to grasp the underlying principles 
upon which a successful career must rest. It is a 
pursuit in which one can use all the energies of his 
being. If he had special aptness for them, there 
are other fields in which a person might be of 
more direct service to his fellow-men. But my 



100 A Young Mans Problems. 

taste and fitness do not follow those lines. Every- 
where there is a demand for manhood. An hon- 
est, just lawyer is a benefit to his people, while an 
unprincipled one is a kind of social parasite. A 
merchant who is fair and keeps his word is a 
strong factor for human welfare; while the one 
who is not upright destroys confidence and impov- 
erishes those who befriend him. And in every 
walk of life one's influence may tend to either up- 
lift or cast down. It seems to me, man's first duty 
is to be and do right, and his second, to use the 
talent nature gave him." 

"Mr. Essen, the weight of years is pressing on 
me. I want a trustworthy, capable young man to 
take into the firm as a partner. So far as I am able 
to judge you are the kind of person I have been 
looking for. You can learn the details of the busi- 
ness as you go along. And as soon as you have 
mastered them, I feel that I can safely entrust 
the management to you. For quite awhile I had 
been searching for a young person who suited my 
notion, when I heard of you. Your present em- 
ployer says that the only fault he has ever found 
with you is that you are too scrupulous in regard 
to the right. That trait in your character suits 
me all the better. The place is for you." 

"But I have not enough capital to take share in 
such a firm as yours," said Paul in surprise. 

"You have the best capital a youngs man can 
have, industrious habits, a vigorous body and 
brain, and good principles. Say that you will ac- 



A Young Man's Problems. 101 

cept it, and whenever you choose you may become 
a partner." 

They came to an agreement and at the end of 
his time in the real estate business, Paul entered 
on that which brought him fortune and settled 
him for life. The question to whose solution he 
had given many anxious hours was decided by the 
factors, faithfulness and fitness. He mastered 
every detail of the firm's business. Whatever 
work he did was well done. He strove to have a 
good name and keep it spotless. And the name 
brought him money, confidence and the good will 
of others. What should a young man work at? 
That which he can do best. Let him bring all his 
powers to bear on the day's duty. Faithful, ener- 
getic effort tends to perfect results, and opportu- 
nity will come to him who is ready for it. Upon 
him who honors his manhood and believes in the 
might of righteous effort, Nature bestows her best 
gifts. 



102 A Young Man's Problems. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

A WOMAN AFTER HIS OWN HEART. 

Paul no longer let his fancy lead him. He had 
learned that dispositions and characters are very 
unlike in different persons, and that more is in- 
volved in womanhood than beauty of face and form. 
Among the young women he had a number of ac- 
quaintances who were blessed not only with beauty 
but many womanly traits. There was one with a 
complexion almost like a lily^s petal in its white- 
ness and clearness. Her hair, like her eyes, was 
a dark brown. When she looked one in the eye, 
her glance gave a pleasant shock. Her voice was 
sweet and winning. The social world was her 
realm ; and she had more admirers than she could 
well entertain. His opposite in many respects, it 
was whispered that they would make a well-mated 
couple. He confessed to himself the power of her 
beauty and charm, but in his heart declined to 
yield to her influence. Passion, while it lasts, 
may bring two lives into harmony. But Nature 
has a better bond of reunion than that. There 
are lives whose sympathy and attraction for each 
other spring from the depths of their natures. A 
line of conduct that one approves pleases the other 
also. The same chord calls out the deepest re- 
sponses from both. This may result from physi- 
cal constitution, or from inborn and cultivated 



A Young Mans Problems. 103 

tastes and habits. Perhaps all are involved. Any- 
how, when two such meet and become fully ac- 
quainted they need neither the aid of fancy nor 
of friends. Let them realize that at the bottom 
is this responsiveness, this oneness; and whether 
fortune favors them with place and honors in the 
social world or not their lives have power to bless 
the other. As Paul lo'oked into those dark eyes 
and listened to that magnetic voice, he was study- 
ing their owner's nature and disposition. He 
felt that his did not accord with them. After he 
had recognized this fact, he decided to follow his 
own judgment and make the most of the conse- 
quences. Another striking character among his 
friends was a blonde with eyes as blue as the deep 
sky and cheeks like the sunward side of a ripe 
peach. Her nature was cheerful and sunny, and 
wherever she went good will and respect came to 
her. No folly marred her past life and her future 
was full of hope. What sensible man would miss 
trying for such a prize? Is it not wise to take 
the good that Providence places in our reach ? 

Such questions might be asked. But at the 
same time, is it wise to tempt fortune ? Should a 
man or woman try to win another just because it 
may seem convenient or possible? A man with a 
true sense of honor, will not, when another's wel- 
fare is so deeply involved, ask for what he does 
not in the depths of his being desire. Among 
those whom he sometimes visited was a young 
woman whose appearance was hardly so attractive 
as that of those just referred to. Well balanced 
in her constitution, she was calm and self-pos- 



104 A Young Mans Problems. 

sessed. The manners and schemes that the so- 
ciety woman resorts to in order to win attention 
were never used by her. To look at her face one 
would judge her to be a good woman with a sweet 
disposition. Gentleness marked all her words and 
actions. She did not appear to the best advan- 
tage in the social world. But in her own home, 
her presence seemed to carry peace and strength 
to all about her. Was any member of the house- 
hold discouraged or unwell ? Her voice and touch 
had power to soothe and cheer. Throughout the 
place, an atmosphere of sunshine and love radiated 
from her. At first thought, one is likely to con- 
nect the idea of a strong character with the de- 
mand for a marked demonstration of its power. 
It is as if one said: "If you are indeed strong, do 
some great deed that we may believe in you." Yet 
how gently the sunshine works when at springtime 
it awakens the slumbering plant world. And it 
takes the same three seasons to complete the growth 
of the plants and vines. And character, though 
a great force, is not an abrupt but a continuous 
one. So it was with Euth Mallon. To prize her, 
one must know her. She was not negative. But 
the fact that she did not push herself forward and 
bid for attention might lead one to think her of an 
indifferent nature. To a young man it was hard 
to tell if her "call again" meant more than bare 
permission. Paul noticed that while in conduct 
she was even and gentle, yet in character she was 
firm and strong. One could not read her at once ; 
for she acted and spoke with somewhat of reserve. 
But after awhile he could see th$t the love of right, 



A Young Mans Problems. 105 

guided by reason and judgment ruled her life. 
►So he knew that the current of her being was 
deep and strong and constant. The better one 
knew her, the more favor she would find with him 
and the more beautiful she appeared. In con- 
versation she took more interest in subjects re- 
lating to the useful, the true, and the good. Here 
was a woman to command the deepest respect and 
admiration. Could a man hope for the love of 
such a being? If he was weak she might pity 
and try to encourage him to do right; but she 
could not respect him. If he was noble and 
frank, she might admire him, though he could 
hardly dare to hope for more. The one to whom 
she could give herself would have one of the best 
gifts earth bestows on man. But to think of win- 
ning her was almost too much to even hope. 
While Paul was away from home attending to 
some business affairs, they corresponded. He 
wanted to learn her views more fully. In one of 
his letters he told her about the kind of persons 
with whom he had to deal and asked her what she 
considered the best elements of a noble character. 
In reply she wrote : 

"I hardly see why you should ask a young woman 
like me for her opinion about the basic elements 
of character. The great poets and philosophers 
could tell you better than I can the sources whence 
springs true, noble conduct. But since you want 
to know my views here they are : As I see it, self- 
respect, and the love of the good and true are 
the ruling factors of a strong, pure life. Man 
boars the image of his Creator, and as one is care- 



106 A Young Mans Problems. 

ful about his appearance before men, so he should 
be to keep a clean record before his Maker — pure 
in thought and desire, pure in the purpose and 
conduct of life. True self-respect does not consist 
in the conceit that one is better than those around 
him, but comes from a far-reaching grasp of what 
it is possible for man to become. It may be a 
struggle to-day; but the hope of a better to-mor- 
row gives strength and assurance. To think of the 
ideal is inspiring. The self-respecting persoji has 
a proper regard for others. As he holds himself 
to what is right and just, he insists on others keep- 
ing in their places. Self-respect is that in us 
which leads to resistance of wrong thoughts and 
feelings. It holds one to the line of truth and law 
and conserves soundness of principles. But this 
by itself may tend to make one severe. The love 
of the good and true not only gives a pleasant 
emotion, but urges one onward in his course. In 
mo^t lives there are some noble traits and this feel- 
ing enables us to see the best. It helps us to ap- 
preciate them, and often opens the avenue to their 
hearts so that we may arouse their holiest desires. 
It is the radiant, buoyant power that makes one a 
blessing to all around him. I love to think of 
strength and sweetness in the same connection. 
Strength sustains us in the right, while sweetness 
uplifts others. And we are so constituted that 
while helping those around us, we gain strength 
and cheer." 

In his next letter, Paul thanked his fair corre- 
spondent for her reply, and added that it enabled 
him to appreciate her better. He also described a 



A Young Mans Problems. 107 

wedding in high social life where the couple had 
married with the avowed purpose of uniting their 
fortunes. To his mind such a course was in defi- 
ance of natural laws. And he asked her what she 
considered the proper basis of marriage. On that 
point her reply was : 

"You have asked me a very hard question, one 
on which my opinion may not be worth much to 
you. At the same time, I have very definite views 
on that subject. Two of the essential elements of 
a happy union are mutual respect and sympathy. 
I could not long think well of a man who does not 
respect himself, nor whom I did not believe to be 
strong, and true and pure. We sometimes fancy 
persons whom we do not know, and disdain them 
when their true nature is known. So two ought to 
know each other well to be sure that they can re- 
spect the other. We esteem character and mental 
parts. Then in their views of life and between 
their dispositions there should be sympathy. The 
make-up of some persons is such that when to- 
gether much they clash. This seems to be a mat- 
ter of nature. And, as such, it deserves much 
more attention than it receives. Where it exists 
the presence of the other affords pleasure. In 
labors and purposes there is a mutual reinforce- 
ment. If two find that they have deep respect and 
sympathy for each other, it remains for them to de- 
cide if they are willing to make it a lifetime affair. 
You see I have not mentioned love, because there 
is one kind of love that grows out of the fitness of 
persons for each other, and another that is largely 
the result of accident or fancy. I do not think 



108 A Young Man's Problems. 

that love without mutual respect and sympathy is 
enough. The young lord who loves a pretty 
peasant girl would not treat her right as his wife, 
because he would not have enough respect for her. 
Or passion might bring two together who, when 
the first fire dies, would drift apart for the want of 
a binding tie. But where there are respect and 
sympathy based on real worth and agreement of 
dispositions, along with mutual choice, I think the 
two will grow towards each other with the years. 
You ask very, very hard questions. I have been 
trying to study up one to ask you. It would be 
a pleasure to me to know your views on what one 
should make the supreme aim in life. 

"Taking a view of mankind as one gets it from 
experience and history, we must conclude that tha 
aim is not as high as it should be. One class of 
persons cares for little else than ease. If they 
have any ruling desire, it would seem to be to do 
nothing. That deep unrest that leads man to 
inquire for the right and the best gives them no 
trouble. The endeavor of many is to parallel the 
action of someone else. If one wrongs them in 
any way, they strike back in resentment. When 
somebody has been crowned with honors at the 
hands of others, straightway many bend every en- 
ergy to secure favor and applause. With them, it 
is hatred in return for hatred, love to recompense 
love, knowledge or money or social prestige in 
order to be the equal of some leader. If one has 
reached the front rank in one respect, ambition 
may lead him to struggle for the same end in some 
other line. Thus, the master of finances would 



A Young Mans Problems. 109 

like to mould social conditions also. One man has 
acquired a large fortune, and yet is justly hated 
and feared. Another has almost all the heart 
could wish except health, and pain burdens his 
life. One holds a commanding position which 
has been won at the price of confidence, and, it 
may be, his own respect, as well. His strength 
lies in his power to suppress fear. Of course, flat- 
terers will hang around him while all goes well, 
but in the hour of misfortune, he may not have one 
true friend. There ought to be something deeper 
and better in life than that which comes and goes 
with fortune. Some aim there should be whose 
pursuit is pleasant and which in the end brings 
peace. I would prize your opinion in regard to 
what that should be." 

In reply he wrote : "You too can ask hard ques- 
tions. But since you have asked for my views, 
here thev are." 



HO A Young Mans Problems* 



CHAPTEE XIV. 

THE SUPREME AIM. 



iif 



'To struggle, to suffer, is the lot of man. He 
who will not endure must go down. There are 
times when death itself is the crown of victory. 
Some successes are both disgraces and defeats. 
Earth is full of forming forces. Its weight, the 
winds, its surroundings, and its nature determine 
the size and shape of the tree. All the forces that 
have acted on the life behind it, its vigor and en- 
vironment work together to fashion the animal. 
The blood of all his ancestors, the history of the 
human race, character as he finds it, the pushing, 
pressing throng of his fellow-men, and his own 
thoughts, feelings and will, all the time of man's 
passage across life's stage of action, are shaping 
his form and moulding his mind. Many of what 
might be our problems are virtually settled for us. 
To most men it is not a question as to whether 
they prefer to live in a monarchy or republic, but 
how to struggle on to the end under the condi- 
tions that surround their birth. It is not for 
them to choose between following pagan or Chris- 
tian customs, but to what extent they can and will 
conform to existing circumstances. No one can 
choose the land of his birth. Man may not even 
say what size he would have his body and brain, 
as these are to a great extent determined by his 



A Young Mans Problems. Ill 

inherited blood, and the care his parents give 
him. Owing to neglect, or misfortune at the 
critical age, his mental parts may never pass the 
rudimental stage. But man can say what his aim 
in life shall be. Others may oppress, may even 
thwart, but it is his right to choose his purpose. 
It is his also to have the satisfaction of its realiza- 
tion or death in its pursuit. The power to select 
his aim, then, is one of man's deepest, richest bless- 
ings. To be self-directed in the right is sublime. 
A heavy responsibility rests on man in regard to 
this choice which is to be made between standards 
and natural form. By standards is meant the 
choice of wealth, social or political influence allied, 
it may be, with bravery, honesty, purity, or some 
other one or more distinguishing traits. This 
changes from time to time with the tides of 
thought and custom. By form, is meant ideal 
manhood or womanhood as it exists in the minds 
of free, enlightened people. For as there is in the 
imagination a perfect form for the body which 
sculptors and painters have striven to realize, so 
is there a mould of right conduct and mental poise 
which commands acceptance. Is there one shape 
for the leaf of the oak and another for that of the 
lily, one outline for the fish and another for the 
bird, and human conduct a matter of no con- 
cern? Look deeply into Nature, and, if in con- 
sciousness you have lost your standard, she will 
teach you that in all things there is order and 
shaping of part to part. Even for the raindrop 
there is a mould; for the winds a law. 



112 A Young Mans Problems. 



CO 



"With some the supreme aim is to acquire 
wealth, to become master of lands, bonds, houses, 
and money. No one who is wise despises this 
power. With its help, the owner is enabled to 
transform the forest into a garden, to furnish, 
adorn, and beautify a home for himself and his 
loved ones, to relieve himself from many of 
those cares which embitter life, and to devote 
his powers to chosen pursuits. In some degree, 
it gives one command over distance and natural 
forces. The physical, social, and mental de- 
velopment of a people are served by wealth. 
Its power for weal is vast. Commerce depends, in 
part, upon it. So, too, to a great extent does civili- 
zation. It can secure pleasure, service, honor, in- 
fluence, a kind of friendship, and sometimes even 
stay the hand of death. Money gives opportunity. 
And yet with all its power, the life of its possessor 
may be a failure and a grief. It cannot buy in- 
tegrity; it cannot purchase peace of mind. True 
love and friendship are above its reach. As the 
possible representative of all other forms of ex- 
ternal power, it merits consideration and pursuit. 
Though in its place a good thing, it is not the 
best. 

"Command of man as the instrument of one's 
pleasure is another point that deserves attention. 
To possess the ready obedience of others is a thril- 
ling experience. The commander-in-chief of an 
army as he directs the action of thousands of men 
in defence of his native land or to satisfy a restless 
ambition, the ruler of a nation enjoying the respect 
and loyalty of millions of people, the orator, who 



A Young Mans Problems. 113 

with burning words drives a nation to war, or with 
gentler tones soothes them to peace and content- 
ment, whose influence raises the standard of honor, 
justice and truth, the scholar whose research wins 
the gratitude of generations, whose grasp of law 
and fact awakens esteem and reverence, all con- 
vince us that control of others is a good thing to 
be desired. To be able to inspire good will and 
confidence and love, to be able to quench the fires 
of hatred, malice, and revenge, and command the 
support of the strong, to have it in one's power 
to win beauty's smile and love, each and all of these 
considerations assure us that influence over others 
may be a most worthy aim. But give one the 
power over those about him, its abuse can but sink 
him deeper in to the abysses of hatred, disgrace 
and remorse. Ambition having conquered all foes 
and displaced every resisting obstacle, may leave 
the vacuum of an unsatisfied desire in its owner's 
heart. Success in the wrong is a curse. If death, 
painless and unexpected, came to the victor in 
his hour of triumph, he might die happy. But 
history proves that ambition's end is better. 

"Knowledge, too, is worthy of pursuit. In hu- 
man experience, there is no end to this search. 
The wise man of to-day knows somewhat more than 
the one of yesterday. The scholar of to-morrow 
will surpass the leader of to-day. To read from 
the very heart of earth her secret, to study why 
the rose is sweet and beautiful, to trace out the 
courses of the stars, to watch the play of cause and 
effect as they work in and out in the warp and 
wooi of human conduct and destiny, all these a£- 



114 A Young Mans Problems. 

ford boundless scope for the mind's exercise. His 
labor gives the scholar a good degree of content- 
ment and enriches mankind. His life is beautiful ; 
his work is ennobling. When the knowledge of the 
good and the true is the objective point what aim 
can be more blissful, what higher ? But how many 
times knowledge bought with love and blood has 
been given to the libertine, to the malicious, to the 
darkly selfish. It has been used to despoil beauty, 
truth, and honor. In the service of vice, it is 
awful, in the service of virtue it is sublime. 

"Another thought deserves attention. There is 
something that is as steadfast as eternal law itself. 
Its realization is the summit of being. Whether 
we reckon on it for time or for eternity, it is still 
the same. It is realized only after the grandest 
struggle; and yet as an ultimate aim, it satisfies 
the deepest and purest desires and demands of 
human life. To name it is to win the assent of the 
best part of our natures. On earth there is noth- 
ing equal to a good character. All the love of the 
heart, all the depths of the intellect, all the 
strength of the will find in that their highest 
forms of usefulness and beauty. A good character 
is as beautiful as the flowers, deeper than earthly 
life, pure as a woman's tear of sympathy, and 
more enduring than the rocks. Less in extent 
than the Being above all, its mould is of 
the same form. It blesses always. Greatness 
amasses wealth, uses others in pursuit of her 
aims, knows all that man can know ; but goodness 
is still greater, is Godlike. It gives guidance, 
strength and deepest peace. Of it there is no end 



A Young Mans Problems. 115 

to its strength, no limit. It has no measure. 
Justice and right, truth and love attend her. 

"The supreme aim then, should be to be a man 
or woman of perfect mould. To such a person, 
wealth, influence and knowledge are useful attend- 
ants. Gravitating around this center, they must 
yield joy and blessings. To be good is the hardest 
task a person ever set for himself, but it is the 
noblest. It is not a passive existence, but intensest 
energy working along right lines. One who is 
content to be ignorant has no right to call himself 
good; for knowing and being are forever linked 
with each other. Knowledge is the handmaid of 
motive. Neither has an idle or indifferent person 
a just claim to goodness; for power over others, 
and wealth enlarge one's sphere of usefulness. Is 
it well to sit idly and see the wealth and power of 
the world pass into wicked hands to be used for 
base purposes? No, never. A good man uses 
wealth for the benefit of the race; he wields per- 
sonal influence to establish justice and righteous- 
ness ; with knowledge, he scatters the shadows that 
oppress the mind, lifts mankind to a higher plane 
of living, and discloses the beauty of truth. The 
deepest, farthest reaching knowledge is involved 
in the highest form of goodness. The best man 
of the future will know more than his prototype of 
to-day, have more skill, and be better. 

"Distinguish between the conceit and the fact, 
between the inert and the active, and is it not plain 
that to be good is the deepest, broadest, sublimest 
aim that ever engaged the forces of a human life ? 
It is the one center around which all other forms 



116 A Young Mans Problems. 

of strength find their proper lines of action. 
Wealth, influence, courage, wisdom, purpose, all 
have boundless field for exercise in the character 
of a good man or woman. All other forms of 
strength must, at last, cease. But the might of 
right is eternal. Above the ruins of the ages, 
truth, justice, and love will forever stand. Like 
the sphere, right has inherent power to sustain 
itself. It is eternal. All the lower forms of life 
submit to force. By it they settle their struggles 
for existence and with one another. Man, too, 
has not only yielded loyalty but worship at the 
same shrine. A large part of the race does so 
still. But the dawn of a better day is coming. 
In that day, man will believe in and exalt the 
power of goodness and in so doing will uplift him- 
self. It is better to be than to have." 

In regard to his views Miss Euth wrote in reply : 

"It seems to me that you have put the right aim 
first. Manhood is greater than any of its acci- 
dental conditions. Sometimes we hear the ques- 
tions, 'What would he be without his money V 
'What could he do without the social influence of 
his family V At once we think of a person whose 
standing rests on what he has instead of what he 
is. It is a case of the diamond being worth more 
than the one who wears it. And as woman's in- 
born beauty surpasses that of any and all of her 
ornaments, so is manhood greater than any place, 
possession or fortune that may go with it. All 
things else on earth are below a good character. 



A Young Man's Problems. 117 

Their proper sphere is to serve. And in doing that 
they are both a help and an ornament. Man's in- 
trinsic worth should be greater than that of his 
position and possessions. The first thing is to be, 
the second, to have. And as long as they keep 
their respective places, the more one can acquire 
the better." 

It was not long after PauFs return until he paid 
Miss Euth a visit. To him she seemed to have 
grown more womanly. Why did he let her do 
most of the talking ? The current of his thoughts 
kept drifting to a subject he feared to name and 
yet felt he must. He would relate a chapter of his 
experience while absent. Then his mind would 
go back to its theme. It was a pleasant task for 
him to listen to one whose talk interested him 
deeply. Thinking that he must be w@rn by his 
care and work, she talked with more than her usual 
charm. That only made him the more restless. 
But before they parted that evening he said: 

"Miss Ruth, I asked you those hard questions 
because I wanted your help in solving one of the 
problems of my life. You know me, my record, 
and my disposition. You have been frank and 
true with me. I not only respect and admire you, 
but all the love of my being and my life are yours 
and for you. Will you bless me with your love ?" 

She replied : "This question is harder still and 
rather unexpected. I feel that my own life and 
yours' would act in perfect harmony. I respect, 
admire, and will loye you aiid try to make you 
happy." 



118 A Young Maris Problems. 

Then Paul knew that another of his problems 
was settled right, and that a true woman's sym- 
pathy and counsel would strengthen, guide, and 
bless him through the coming years. 

Called on a short time afterwards to address a 
body of young men, he prepared the following, 
which, at his request, Miss Euth named: The 
Three Factors of Manhood. 

"On earth, all forms of life are hedged about 
with law and force. It is wise for man to en- 
deavor to find the point where the resistance is 
least and the most help can be derived from his 
surroundings. In the physical and mental, social 
and industrial realms are to be found lines of de- 
velopment. He who disregards these does it to his 
own harm. As the wind aids the one moving along 
with it, so do these natural forces which surround 
man assist or oppose him in his efforts. In order 
to make the most out of life, one needs to know 
himself, to be familiar with his weak and strong 
points, and the tendencies of his nature. Some- 
times an individual takes a first drink of liquor 
and is surprised to find that an undying thirst for 
more has been roused. An inherited appetite rises 
straightway to take control of him. Thenceforth 
he must struggle against it or die. Another in- 
dulges once some passion and is its slave to the 
end of his life. Or, it may be, that a person in 
pursuing the ordinary duties of the day overtaxes 
a weak part by exposure or excessive use and falls 
under the burden of disease. 

"Must it ever be thus that man shall fall before 
unknown dangers ? Is there no school but the bit- 
ter one of experience in which the lesson is learned 



A Young Mans Problems. 119 

too late ? Let the young man who aspires to suc- 
cess in life's struggles enquire about the habits 
and weaknesses of his forefathers. Then he may- 
know somewhat where to guard and where to resist 
in order to develop aright. By research in that 
same field, he may find out, too, some of his re- 
sources. Vigor of body or brain is often a family 
heritage. Each generation gives a natural bless- 
ing or curse to the one that succeeds it. And in 
following back his own course to the beginning of 
memory he may come upon many facts serving to 
guide and warn. For, as an endless chain, the 
present is linked with all the past. The question 
of a life-work comes home to each. Shall nature 
or fancy decide that matter? It seems easy for 
some persons to adapt themselves to their sur- 
roundings. Upon these the question does not 
weigh so heavily. But how often do we see men 
blindly trying first one thing and then another 
only to fail in each and at last sit down with a 
broken spirit. They have marred every object 
handled and been baffled in every plan formed. 
Why? Because they were not working in their 
proper sphere. The accidents or fancies of life 
directed them. The chief factor in determining 
duty had never been allowed to assert itself. Let 
a man but do his own work in his place and a 
thrill of pleasure and strength will well up through 
him. In 'Wilhelm Meister' well has the immortal 
Goethe developed the subject of the influence of 
chance as against the deepest current of one's 
nature. 

"He who has aptness for various lines of work 



120 A Young Mans Problems. 

may profit by the fact. But in many lives there 
is some strong determining factor. Bring every- 
thing else into harmony with this life-bent and 
the individual is useful and happy. Let his oc- 
cupation be in some other field than this and he is 
restless and dissatisfied. A question of far-reach- 
ing importance is 'What shall I do?' And the 
answer must be, 'What God in nature has shaped 
you for/ But the data for settling this are often 
hard to find. A person who delights in the chase 
would fret under the confinement of a student. 
The one whose deepest delight is music could 
hardly endure the quiet of a shepherd's life. An 
honest man would be unhappy as the partner of a 
knave. A woman of fine sense and tender feel- 
ings would find the companionship of a coarse na- 
ture a growing burden. A rashly chosen profes- 
sion, a marriage in haste or for spite, is almost 
sure to bring grief. Even when one is in sym- 
pathy with his environment and his nature ad- 
justs itself to its sphere there is enough to struggle 
against. No wonder then that so many with the 
currents of their natures ceaselessly beating on 
unbroken bounds pine away, sicken, and die in 
their early years. 

"Some declining to consider their tastes and 
fitness choose a short road to some coveted end. 
The scholar, it may be, goes into business in order 
to make money. Too late, he finds that he has 
only unmade himself. Another yields to the 
charms of personal beauty and receives with his 
prize a being who chills his own. A third ad- 
vocates views which in sincerest hours he feels to 



A Young Man's Problems. 121 

be false and in the end has as his reward the loss 
of his self-respect and confidence. What is his 
ruling passion or faculty is a matter that each 
must decide for himself. In order to reach a 
right conclusion it may be necessary to ask the 
counsel of many and take into consideration quite 
a period of life. For it is not always the one 
which is uppermost in a given hour. The true 
self may be hidden under a mass of habits and 
wrong teaching. There may be need to go back 
and ask why this course was pursued rather than 
that, and which called out the best efforts and gave 
the most lasting satisfaction. Even then one may 
go wrong. When assured that he is in the wrong 
channel — and then only — let him leave it and get 
into the right one. When it comes to a choice, it 
is better to be right than consistent in one's course, 
but it is best not to have to make the change. 
Also, one needs to know the limits of his powers. 
Many a man who could do his work on a small 
scale with credit to himself, comes under a load 
of disgrace and brings ruin on others by making 
ventures beyond his strength. A farmer plants 
larger crops than he can command means to till 
and raises only weeds. The unwise financier con- 
ceives far-reaching schemes, fails in his efforts, and 
by his collapse scatters distrust and want. A 
teacher undertakes to instruct others in subjects 
too deep for his mind and becomes an object of 
scorn. If one can do nothing but handle a hoe, 
let him have the manhood to own it and stick to 
his line of labor. Even lowly work well done 
brings honor to its performer, while bungling in 



122 A Young Man's Problems. 

high places leads to shame. If one can lift but 
fifty pounds he may effect much more by keeping 
within, his bounds than by trying to raise five 
hundred. It is the person who knows his limits 
and keeps within them who serves best both him- 
self and his fellow-men. Whether they possess 
them or not, men always admire common sense 
and honesty. 

"A second factor that enters into the make-up 
of the highest type of manhood is self-control, a 
condition more or less perfectly realized, as all of 
one's physical and mental parts are subject to the 
will. In the nature of the case, this is in a great 
measure a matter of training. A young child has 
little rnbre than power to move its hands. Years 
of attentive effort are needed to enable it to use 
them well. The painter tries many times before 
he succeeds in making those fine strokes that so 
charm the beholder. Talent must be assisted by 
years of faithful practice to make the world's 
sweetest singers. Use is an essential condition of 
all excellence. Exercising a given set of muscles 
under the attentive control of the will gives the 
deft movements of the most graceful. Strength 
of parts is acquired in the same way. Both are 
results attained in the process of forming habits. 
The Greek who stands as type of the world's orators 
overcame an impediment of speech. While so do- 
ing, he learned how to send his voice to the heart 
of his hearers. What were the discomforts of 
speaking with pebbles in his mouth and against 
the noise of the sea compared with his triumphs in 
the end ! But he who would have greatness must 



A Young Mans Problems. 123 

pay the price — toil and pain. For him the diso- 
bedient member will at last yield and weakness 
give way to might. 

"In the acquirement of knowledge, the same 
law prevails. With trembling and self-distrust, 
the child enters this wide field. Months are spent 
in mastering the contents of the first reader. In 
the second year, more progress is made. And after 
a thorough course, a well trained youth can learn 
far more of a foreign language in the same length 
of time than he could at first in the speech of his 
own people. An educated person is one whose 
powers are developed to grapple with hard prob- 
lems and to seize and hold fast facts, whose mental 
parts are all ready servants of the will. He has 
a strong judgment and imagination as well as 
memory. And, too, he is the owner of a will that 
defies all obstacles. So it follows that education 
rests on the basis of individual effort. Each must 
use his powers to develop them. A teacher at best 
can only inspire and direct. And, sad to say, an 
incompetent one by rousing antagonistic associa- 
tions and wrong motives may mar every faculty 
of his pupil. But it is the faithful, painstaking 
effort that leads towards the highest results, and by 
which only they are reached. A will that shrinks 
at no hardship is the ultimate force that lifts 
man from a plane of ignorance to that of knowl- 
edge. It rouses memory to do its bidding, sets the 
judgment to work, and gives reason and imagina- 
tion heroic tasks. Is a part weak, well-directed 
use will make it strong. Nothing else can. The 
scholar to whom the world goes for information 



124 A Young Mans Problems. 

lifted himself to the place he holds. His power 
to will and work is the only difference between 
him and the many others below him. He refused 
to yield to the love of ease, to the many hindrances 
that beset him. To overcome and acquire became 
a pleasure to him. His habits were so formed as 
to resist and push him forward. Do you covet 
learning ? Determine to have it ; comply with the 
conditions and you may. 

"Two men are engaged in terrific combat. One 
falls and asks for mercy. Is his antagonist noble 
or base? The hour to decide that question is 
come. If the stronger is ruled by weak principles, 
the fallen must suffer to the limits of revenge. 
But no, he raises his foe and tries to relieve his 
pain. The gazing throng whispers 'a hero/ Yes, 
one who is master of his passions. That is wHy 
the gentlest have ever been the bravest and truest. 
All through their growing years, they battled 
against the impulse to do shameful deeds, and 
strove to acquit themselves well. Man looks on 
pure womanhood as the fairest and sweetest flower 
on earth. To such he pays respect and homage 
but little short of worship. As he sees her, she 
embodies the true, the beautiful and the good. 
There are others of her sex whom he regards in 
the very opposite light. He loathes the idea of 
such a being. Why do we have these two types ? 
The first controls her thoughts and feelings; the 
other does not. The one exalts honor and a good 
name; the second either desires or yields to a 
different standard. At one time in their lives both 
were innocent, And later^ both were tempted 



A Young Mans Problems. 125 

One resisted, the other fell. From that abyss into 
which she has plunged no human hand can lift her. 
Of course among men there are differences both of 
birth and environment. It may be granted that 
now and then an external force sets one wrong. 
But broadly speaking, men's characters and con- 
ditions are what they choose them to be, or, at 
least are willing to have them. Will you rule or 
be ruled by circumstances ? There are times when 
it causes a person pain to be honest. When the 
occasion comes let him yield to the desire of ease. 
Eepeated indulgence establishes a habit. And the 
result is a man whom others fear to trust. An- 
other, under like circumstances, chooses to tell the 
truth and suffer. Each time when the trial comes, 
he meets it bravely. In the end, it comes to pass 
that his word is never questioned. 

"He who would have full command of himself 
must begin the task early in life. Conduct takes 
on' a form even as the body does. In youth, cherish 
pure thoughts, noble impulses and manly purposes. 
Abhor that which is base and unclean. And after 
awhile one's own momentum will almost keep 
him in the right. Think not that you can follow 
an evil course for years, and then all at once lead 
an upright life. Again and again that which is 
set in the nerves and brain will assert itself. Be- 
fore wrong mental associations have been formed, 
before wrong feelings have been allowed to de- 
velop, while the nature is plastic, is the time to set 
out to be a man or woman. No means of reform- 
ing the mind has yet been discovered. Until it 
has ; the safe course is to avoid forming bad habits^ 



126 A Young Man's Problems. 

and set the entire being, physical, mental, and 
moral, to right laws and principles. The mighty 
force of gravitation opposes every plant that grows 
sunward. An incubus of custom and tradition 
hangs over every field of action or of thought. Let 
it once be known that you are not settled in your 
convictions, and a din worse than that which meets 
the traveler at a dining station will surround you. 
Falter an instant in your course, and someone will 
lay hold of you and try to take you with him. One 
political party claims your support on general 
principles; another, on what it has done and will 
do; while still others demand the right to prove 
their merits. Look up for an instant, and on 
every side are to be seen hands pointing and beck- 
oning. In the social world it is the same way. 
You must have your hair cut after a certain fash- 
ion, else you are considered out of date. Your 
shoes, too, are expected to be in a given style, and 
even the cut of your clothes. In heathen China, 
fashion condemns the woman of high caste to be 
a cripple in her feet. In more enlightened coun- 
tries, she is expected to deform a shapely waist. 
Custom, the preserver of the best, the general 
mould of conduct and habits, is neither too good 
nor too great to be questioned and even challenged. 
When she tyrannizes, defy her. A few decades 
ago, a man would hardly have dared to claim to be 
well educated unless he had taken a course in the 
classics of Greece and Eome. Whether one had 
any taste and talent for such studies or not, if he 
desired a name among the cultured, he must go 
through that press. Even the English language 



A Young Mans Problems. 127 

has suffered from that gigantic blunder. On ac- 
count of the number of words in our tongue from 
those two sources a working knowledge of both of 
them is helpful. Introduced into the middle 
grades to those whose minds are strong to grasp 
forms, they serve a useful purpose. But for a 
person nearly grown to go through the usual grind 
of the dead languages is a sacrifice of time and 
strength to an incorrect view. Neither Plato nor 
Aristotle took such a course, yet they teach the 
teachers of to-day. They grappled with and mas- 
tered ideas. As the sinews of the body were hard- 
ened in the boxing and wrestling drills of the time, 
so their minds were strengthened by the struggle 
to know the truth. It is exercise that gives force 
and form to the mind, and this can be had in more 
departments of learning than one. Nothing can 
take the place of faithful, hard work. Any inter- 
esting subject that affords this is a good trainer 
of the parts used. Many of the world's greatest 
men have been such because their spontaneous 
energies were not paralyzed by word and grammar- 
work in their young manhood. Inborn vigor is 
greater than any system of improvement which 
others can shape. 

"Mankind does not advance by following round, 
as in a circle, the preceding ages. It is he who 
leaves the beaten path, who sees from a higher 
point of view, that leads in the upward march of 
mind. At any point there is but one perpendicu- 
lar. Each individual has his own line of right 
mental development. As custom has guided in 
the outer actions of life, so creeds have shaped 



128 A Young Man's Problems. 

men's principles. It may be granted that they 
were the best their times could afford, that they 
were the true convictions of honest souls. But 
new data have been added. In some cases, to 
cling to the past is to turn one's face from the 
light. Old structures have been undermined. To 
some looking upon their moldering ruins the ques- 
tion may come, 'Is this the end?' As the leaf of 
last season goes back to the elements to rise again 
in new form and life, so old creeds must dissolve, 
and new ones rise to meet the demands of the 
hour. For their strong faith and mighty works, 
respect is due to the leaders of the past. But the 
issues of to-day will only yield to creeds embrac- 
ing all the data at hand. Darkness does not vanish 
before the denial of its existence, only before the 
greater power of light. In spite of man's failures 
to fully grasp it, right is a fact. So, also, is truth 
and virtue. Above the noise of clashing creeds, 
high over the darkness of doubt and despair, listen 
for the voice of goodness, and seek the glory of her 
light. Unto the self-reliant soul that seeks her, 
she manifests herself. From him she sends out 
joy and life-giving light to bless the nations. 

"Achievement comes of mighty well-directed 
effort. Strength is also a result. Back of it are 
vigor and wise action. He who battles against 
Nature's laws and forces must sink beneath them. 
But by obtaining their help, man lifts himself to 
the heights. Within yourself are the same powers 
that you honor in another. Find them ; use them ; 
trust them. The indifference to danger which the 
hero displays may be yours too. The one who 



A Young Mans Problems. 129 

sways an audience at will has a possible equal in 
more than one of his hearers. That manly indi- 
vidual whose glance and tone command respect 
and obedience, differs from you mainly in degree. 
All these rely on themselves and so ought you. As 
long as you look to another for leadership, he must 
be your superior. Imitation aids youth but en- 
slaves manhood. In its proper time and place, 
the guidance and support of another is to be de- 
sired. But leaning too long makes weaklings. 
Do your own thinking for one day, and at its close 
greater usefulness will be yours. Why do you ask 
another what should be the conduct of your life? 
You alone, have the final data to settle that prob- 
lem. The trouble is that you repress too much 
and doubt too long. Those swelling impulses and 
longings for a better state are mute pleadings of 
your deepest, truest self. Let them reach out 
into the unknown. Soon they will find their 
lines of action. But if the first movement goes 
wrong, you lose heart. Quit your doubting and 
try again. How can you fail unless you seek? 
Man rises only as he strives to. 

"It was never intended that doubt should para- 
lyze, that it should block the way of progress. Its 
function is to aid in choosing the better and in 
discovering the truth. But too often, man in ig- 
norance and fear gives it the first place in his mind 
and becomes its slave. Do you seek the infinite? 
Even now, you are in the midst of it. Playing 
about you, too, are limitless forces. Bring your- 
self into sympathy with them. Let their currents 
vibrate through your being, and a new strength 



130 A Young Man's Problems. 

and peace will be yours. Instead of respecting 
their best selfhood, men try to mould themselves 
by another. Of course, they do not succeed. With 
failure comes unrest. The standard was wrong. 
Be yourself. Let the thoughts and feelings so 
long held in check express themselves in your 
action and character. Do this to-day, and by to- 
morrow they will be stronger and clearer. In- 
stead of weakness and pain will come pleasure and 
might. 

"Know your powers and their limits ; use them, 
and control those that would lead wrong. Will to 
be and you can. Rely on your own efforts; then, 
to you, earth will become more beautiful and your 
life sweeter and purer. Through yourself, the 
springs of truth would flow. In yourself and 
about you are to be found the strength you desire." 



THE END. 






Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: Dec. 2004 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 

1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724) 779-21 1 1 



